The Living Laboratories Initiative is a new approach to
agriculture research that puts farmers and scientists side by side to
co-develop, test and monitor new practices and technology in real time.
The goal is to bring more sustainable farming and management practices
to address issues such as water management, fertilizer use, and soil and
nutrient conservation.

The program on P.E.I. will be run
by the East Prince Agri-Environment Association, a not-for-profit
organization representing 13 Prince Edward Island farms that are working
together to improve and create sustainable agricultural practices.

It will receive $2.4 million of the overall $10 million the government is investing in the national program.

“This
funding from [Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada] will enable farmers to
work directly with researchers,” said association member Andrea McKenna
in a news release.

“[We will] carry out important trials that
will help build and support a more sustainable ecosystem for growing
crops and protecting our environment.”