Meet Kevin Schurman, a fifth-generation potato farmer in Central Bedeque, PEI! Kevin strives to make a positive impact on the community his family calls home.
Kevin’s passion for advancing the agricultural industry goes beyond his immediate surroundings on the farm. As such, he assumes the role of Chairman for the Potato Processing Committee in PEI, where skillful negotiation of pre-season contracts with potato buyers takes place on behalf of PEI growers. Furthermore, Kevin is an integral member of AIM (Agronomy Initiative for Marketable Yield), specifically engaged in the Science and Technology Working Group. Through his involvement in these organizations, he fosters collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement within the agricultural sector.
For Kevin, being a member of EPAA and participating in research projects is important because it allows him to connect with local farmers and learn from their experiences.
“When the group [EPAA] was founded, a lot of us in the area were environmentally conscious but in many ways didn’t know the steps to make the improvements that we wanted to make. I found that being a part of a group really helps that process. When we come up with ideas, we’re feeding off of each other. I think it’s just a positive way to influence continuous improvement in making our farms environmentally and financially sustainable.”
Kevin Schurman, Dunk River Farms Ltd.
The most challenging aspect of Kevin’s job is the many responsibilities that come with being a farm operator. From labour and machinery operations to government regulations, the workload can be overwhelming. However, Kevin strives to improve efficiency and proficiency in these areas.
“You have to do so many things as a farm operator. It’s hard to get efficient and proficient at certain jobs when dealing with machinery operation, administrative tasks, government regulations and labour shortages.”
Kevin Schurman, Dunk River Farms Ltd.
In line with its commitment to environmental stewardship, Dunk River Farms implements various measures to enhance its farming practices. For example, cover crops play a vital role in preserving soil health and preventing erosion, which is why species like alfalfa are commonly seen on the farm. Moreover, Kevin also follows a well-planned rotation cycle and uses soil-building rotation crops to optimize yields, enrich the soil’s fertility and enhance overall sustainability.
As anyone will tell you, being a farmer requires a lot of heart, hard work and dedication. When it comes to sustainability, Kevin sets an exceptional example of how using environmentally and financially conscious initiatives can benefit one’s farm. They remain committed to exploring additional avenues for sustainability and we can’t wait to see what they do next.