P.E.I. research takes root
Federal government announced $895K in funding for project that shows positive effects of planting willow trees on Island potato farms
P.E.I. potato farmer Rob Green is part of a unique research project that aims to keep the soil and air cleaner by planting hundreds of willow trees on his property.
“We’re really excited about doing it,” said Green, also chairman of the East Prince Agri-Environment Association. On Wednesday, the association received $895,000 in funding from the federal Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program. The announcement was made in Souris by Lawrence MacAulay, minister of agriculture and agri-food. “Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment,” said MacAulay in a press release.
“This new investment of $27 million through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program is part of the government’s commitment to addressing climate change and ensuring our farmers are world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technology and processes.”
Green explained the research project involves planting willow trees along riverbanks on potato farms. The idea is that the trees will remove nitrates from the soil and prevent them from entering the water system.
After about four or five years, the plan is to cut the willow trees down and used them as another source of home heating. It is believed that willow trees are cleaner to burn for the environment. The wood also helps keep chimney flues cleaner, he said.
Green said the funding and research are divided between other groups, such as the Kensington North Watersheds Association and the Souris and Area Branch of the P.E.I. Wildlife Federation.
As well, researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax are involved in the project.
Last year, two sites were selected to plant willow trees. The first was along the Dunk River in Emerald.
Green estimates that five or six more sites have been planted this year. Some sites have up to 1,000 willow trees. On Green’s farm in Bedeque, there are 800 willow trees planted. He said the project is ongoing for the next couple of years.
“There’s definitely going to be more planted next year and the following year,” Green said. The East Prince Agri-Environment Association project is one of 20 new research projects under the AGGP that look at greenhouse gas mitigation practices and technologies that can be applied on a farm.