Vision of the PEISCIA

The PEI Soil and Crop Improvement Association is an organization committed to the conservation and wise-use of the agricultural land base on Prince Edward Island with the demonstration and promotion of practical management tools or techniques to sustain healthy land, water and air resources.

Mission of the PEISCIA

	Be an independent, arm's length evaluator and demonstrator of new and appropriate techniques and technology that will further soil and water conservation objectives
	Deliver appropriate third party programs to Island land holders
	Support projects and activities that meet the vision of the association
	Use experience and reputation to present the agricultural focus of soil and water conservation to the public.

PEISCIA Milestones

	1968 PEISCIA founded by David Smith
	1960s Demonstrate a new practice of harvesting forage at the early bud stage to increase protein, digestability and cuts per season. Introduce corn silage on PEI. Demonstrate rye grass as a high yielding, late season pasture crop
	1970 Demonstrate zero-till pasture renovation techniques. Introduce higher yielding cereal production and management techniques that attain record-breaking yields
	1979 Demonstrate the first field-scale trial of soybeans on PEI
	1980s Conduct first trial of wheat for milling and soybeans for feeding hogs and cattle
	1981 First Annual Conference (March annually). First agricultural summer tour with 340 in attendance
	1982 Demonstrate soil and water conservation practices such as strip cropping, shelter belts, grass waterways, diversion terraces, and winter cover cropping
	1984 In cooperation with the Potato Producers Association, Horticultural Council and Vegetable Growers Association, hosted a major agricultural conference, including the first trade show at a PEI agricultural conference. More than 1,000 in attendance
	1988 Introduce crop scouting to PEI and managed a team of cereal, soybean, and potato crop scouts for nearly 10 years.
	1989 First Soil Conservationist of the Year Award. Today the award is presented annually to one cash crop and one livestock producer
	1990 - 2004 Demonstrate livestock fencing and alternate watering systems along streams. PEISCIA delivered the Fencing and Watering Program from 1991 to 2004
	1991 Crop Scouting has grown to eight employees and 100 clients
	1992 Delivery of the 3-year Land Management Assistance Program for soil conservation
	1993 Delivery of the Environmental Farm Plan as a Pilot Project on PEI
	1993 Receive the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Wetland Conservation Award
	1994 Delivery of the 3-year Green Plan Program for soil conservation and waste management.
	1995 Receive the Prince Edward Island Environmental Award in the Citizen Group Category
	1997/98 Develop and promote model land lease agreements and conservation covenant agreements
	2000 Develop a brochure for the Environmental Farm Plan, and a fact sheet of livestock watering systems. Sponsor the development of three soil conservation videos and an interactive CD ROM in partnership with the PEI Department of Agriculture and Forestry
	2002 - 2006 Establishment of two agri-conservation clubs on PEI with 60 producers
	2003 - Present Agroforestry and biomass demonstrations and trials
	2003 - 2007 Demonstrations, tours and workshops of BMPs under the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program
	2003 - 2008 Verification of the potato Grower Standard - Foodtrust
	2008 - 2010 Riparian Health Assessments
	Ongoing Nutritional management trials and demonstrations

General Activities & Services

	Soil and water conservation or protection
	Nutrient Management and agronomy
	Environmental Farm Plans
	Alternate watering systems for livestock
	New crop development and evaluation
	New equipment evaluation
	New farm technology
	Climate change adaptation and mitigation

Advisory/Consultative Services
Advisory/consultative resources to farmers, agribusiness, government, environmental groups and the general public on issues related to the conservation and wise-use of the agricultural land base on Prince Edward Island.

Evaluation Services
Arms length evaluator, supporter and developer of management tools and techniques that will sustain healthy land and water resources.

Information Services
Source of information to farmers, agribusiness, government, environmental groups and the general public on the conservation and wise-use of the agricultural land base.