Soil First Farming

UNDERSTANDING WHAT'S UNDER OUR FEET AND WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT IT.

As you pass along any Island roadside, the unmatched beauty lies in our patchwork of fields. But it's important to know that no two fields are identical. That's because while our soil is famously red, it is also alive.

THE ‘DIRT’ ON SOIL

Soil is the beginning of our food story.

Soil is a complex ecosystem that forms the base of the food chain for humans as well as land animals. Soil also plays an essential role in balancing the Earth's ecosystems and climate. Healthier soil can hold more water, supply more nutrients to plants, purify water, and increase resilience to floods and droughts.

SOIL STORES AND CYCLES NUTRIENTS

HEALTHY SOILS IMPROVE BUFFERING AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS LIKE WIND AND RAIN, AND HUMAN-INDUCED TRAFFIC

DIVERSITY OF ROOTS IMPROVES SOIL STRUCTURE

WELL-STRUCTURED SOIL PROMOTES WATER STORAGE AND DRAINAGE

PRODUCTIVE SOIL CONTAINS LARGE POPULATIONS OF BENEFICIAL, DIVERSE SOIL MICROBES

SOIL FIRST EXAMPLES

Prince Edward Island's soil quality and health is directly influenced by the diversity, quantity, and the health of the living organisms and ecosystems in the soil. Some of the primary ways PEI Farmers build soil health and support soil life is by:

Planting a diverse rotation of crops
Cover cropping to protect fields year round
Using or adopting low/no-till practices
Implementation of soil conservation structures
Livestock integration into annual crop production systems
Addition of soil amendments to increase organic matter like manures and crop residues

Managing for soil health is one of the most effective ways for PEI farmers to increase crop productivity and profitability while improving the environment.

EVERYTHING PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND SOIL FIRST FARMERS DO IS ROOTED IN HEALTHIER SOIL.