17 Mar PEI AWP Hosts AgriWatershed Information Session
On Monday, March 16, 2026 , the PEI AgriWatershed Partnership hosted an Agri-watershed information meeting at the Emerald Community Centre in Emerald. The theme of this year’s meeting was “Emerging Ag Technologies: Optimizing Inputs-Conserving Resources” . The choice of theme reflects the important role technology will play in helping producers mitigate the challenges posed by extreme weather events, market pressures and labour shortages. Current innovations in precision farming, drones and remote sensing, hold the promise of optimizing inputs while conserving natural resources.
The session included presentations by Chad Money, AgronomAI. Chad, who is a pioneer in the use UAV’s in Island Agriculture, discussed how new developments in this technology can increase the efficiency of crop inputs while improving environmental outcomes. Holland Cahill from A&L Labs, discussed how a healthy, resilient soil is the best defence against climate stressors and described soil health strategies to improve your soils capacity to retain moisture, utilize nutrients more efficiently and deliver higher yields. Dr. Ahmad Bhatti, PEI Dept. of Environment, Energy and Climate Action presented a detailed look at drought continency plans , important information for those that irrigate.
The keynote speaker for the session was Cam Cote, InteliRain Inc. Calgary Alberta. Through his company, Cam provides a ground breaking approach to irrigation that increases efficiency by using multi-spectral sensor technology to support precision water application. This technology has the potential to conserve water and reduce other operational costs associated with irrigation.
This meeting also provided an opportunity for the host watershed group BBEMA to present an update of their activities n the watershed. BBEMA works with all their community partners to protect the natural resources of the Bedeque Bay Watershed. Executive Director, Tracy Brown provided an update of the group’s recent work on programs and projects focussed on the conservation of biodiversity, protection of natural habitats and healthy ecosystems in the Watershed.