The Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering invites the UPEI community to attend a special summer research seminar on "Soil Health, Carbon Farming, and Fixing our Nitrogen Problem," on Tuesday, July 17 at 1:30 pm in room 202 of Sustainable Design Engineering building. Dr. David Burton, Professor of Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, will be presenting as part of his research collaborations with Dr. Aitazaz Farooque of the FSDE. All are welcome!

Abstract: Agriculture is being challenged on multiple fronts to improve its environmental footprint - reducing its impact on surrounding ecosystems and providing environmental goods and services in addition to traditional role of food production. Potato production in PEI provides an excellent case study to examine how this transition can be achieved. Fortunately agricultural production systems provide the opportunity not only to “do good” for the neighbours, but also improve our capacity to produce a safe nutritious food product. This requires a rethink of how we do agriculture with greater emphasis on long-term goals of sustainable production. Three research initiatives will be discussed to build “Soil Health”, store carbon in agricultural soils, and improve nitrogen use efficiency in potato production systems in PEI.