Kensington-area potato growers now have free access to expert irrigation advice, after the PEI Department of Agriculture hired Scott Anderson as a provincial irrigation specialist. Announced May 28, 2026, Anderson will work with all Island farmers to improve water use and efficiency, with services available immediately at no cost.
Anderson is a soil and water engineer with more than two decades of experience in agricultural water management. He previously served as PEI’s irrigation specialist from 2000 to 2008 and most recently worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada before retiring this year to start his own firm, Atlantic Water Management.
Farmers considering irrigation systems or looking for ways to stretch water during dry spells can get advice on setup, navigating permits, and boosting water efficiency. Anderson can be reached directly at [email protected] or (902) 916-0603. His hiring comes as the province’s potato sector grapples with the aftermath of a severe 2025 drought that slashed production by nearly 16 percent, the largest provincial decline in Canada. Only about one in ten potato acres on the Island has irrigation.
Demand for irrigation support has surged since last year’s losses. A $1.2 million funding pool under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership was fully claimed in under five minutes when applications opened in 2026. Of the 44 farmers who applied, only 20 received funding. Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson has acknowledged the current first-come, first-served process needs a fix.
“There does have to be a better way of not just first in, first out kind of process,” Thompson said. “We will look at doing it differently for sure in the years ahead.”
For now, Anderson’s free advice offers a lifeline for growers still recovering from a tough 2025 season, including those around Kensington where the potato trade remains a key part of the local economy. His work begins immediately.
