The award is presented annually to a producer, organization or business which is economically viable, socially responsible and environmentally sound in the production and/or marketing of high quality food products. The winner is selected from nominees by FoodTrust of Prince Edward Island.

“I want to congratulate Peter Bulger for his hard work and commitment to the protection and enhancement of the environment,” said Agriculture, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Forestry Minister Kevin MacAdam. “The efforts of producers like him provide significant benefits to all Islanders and help keep this province at the forefront of sustainable agricultural practices.”

Bulger has been a dairy farmer for 25 years, and his herd consists of 40 milk cows and 40 dry cows and heifers. He grows over 200 acres of forages, 70 acres of grain and 25 acres of silage in a five to seven year rotation. Because of the long rotation, soil erosion is not a problem on the farm. The use of legume plough-downs and manure helps build soil organic matter and tilth, two important measures of soil quality.

Nutrient management is carried out on the farm to eliminate excessive nutrient inputs and protect surface and groundwater quality. The use of crop scouts reduces the use of pesticides.

Bulger was one of the first farmers in the province to complete an environmental farm plan. He has established hedgerows and windbreaks on a significant proportion of the farm. He has also entered into a wetland conservation agreement with Ducks Unlimited.

Mr. Bulger was nominated for the award by the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture. Other nominees this year were Wade and Patti Casley of Burlington and Garth Toombs of Bedeque.