U.S. tariffs drive renewed push for local agriculture and sustainable farming on P.E.I.

With the "Buy Canadian" movement on the rise, there is growing interest in supporting local agriculture and promoting sustainable farming on Prince Edward Island.

U.S. President Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods took effect Tuesday, but even in the weeks leading up to it, Canadians have increasingly turned away from U.S. products in favour of homegrown alternatives.

This renewed interest in supporting local production was a key topic at a recent information meeting by the P.E.I. AgriWatershed Partnership in Montague.

Farmers and watershed groups came together to discuss how choosing local not only keeps money in Canadian communities but also plays a crucial role in environmental sustainability.

Jackie Bourgeois, executive director of Southeast Environmental Association, said farmers and watershed groups must work together for the good of the land. Open communication and collaboration between these groups, she said, will drive more sustainable practices on the Island.

"We have to have a healthy environment in order to even grow food," Bourgeois said. 

Sustainability in farming

Vernon Campbell has been operating his farm on Grahams Road since the '80s and has long been committed to sustainable agriculture.

"The production of safe, wholesome, nutritious food done in a manner that leaves our soil, water, air and our community in a better condition than when we found it — that is our mission statement," Campbell said. 

To achieve that, he has implemented a series of sustainable practices, including soil erosion control, the construction of grass waterways and farmable berms. These efforts, he said, have helped keep his farm both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Part of that work is working with local watershed groups, which he believes to be very important. 

"Meetings like today are vitally important to the advancement of sustainability and a better environment for Prince Edward Island," Vernon said. 

Islanders can do their part supporting these sustainable practices by shopping locally, he said. 

"Buy local has always been important, but never more so than today. If we want our food supply to be secure. If we want our farmers to be environmentally sustainable, then yes, we need to buy local," Vernon said. 

While he acknowledges that P.E.I. can't solve the economic impact of tariffs through local consumption alone, he believes buying local is still a practical way to support farmers and the environment.

"Knowing where your food comes from, knowing that it's produced in a sustainable manner… That's the heartbeat of Prince Edward Island and Canada," Campbell said.