4R NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP LESSON 3
APPLYING 4R NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP TO THE MARITIMES: PEI & THEIR HOT
POTATOE CHALLENGE
At a Glance
In this world, Potatoes are a hot commodity and are used to model the challenges facing
sustainable agriculture in this decade. Students focus on the nutrient Nitrogen and consider why
the concern? Students learn about nitrate nutrients, agricultural runoff, and real world
applications of nutrient stewardship. They learn to model an unconfined aquifer system and
experiment learn hands on about the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship by understanding the
importance of Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place. Students investigate
and debate the advantages and disadvantages balancing fertilizer, potato growing, under Prince
Edward Island (PEI) conditions. Following up with a group discussion for understanding the
importance of nutrient stewardship.
Major Concepts
 Nutrients although essential for plant growth, in excess may impact local environments.
 Learn how groundwater systems feed rural wells for drinking water and their interactions
with nutrients and excess nutrient sources.
 Reinforce the importance of protecting our drinking water sources.
 Excesses in nutrient contribution from agricultural runoff during peak rainfalls and annual
snowmelts.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, students will be able to:
 Recognize the importance of sustainable land and water stewardship.
 Appreciate the concept that the world is not creating any new water, yet we are simply reusing the water we have in the system.
 Describe the interactions between land management, agriculture, and drinking water
sources.
 Describe how excess nutrients may be harmful to the environment, and
 Identify potential sources of nutrient pollutions and solutions to the pollution.
Activities
Activity 1: A 4R Case Study Examining PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
Activity 2: The Great Island Debate
Activity 3: Solutions to the Nitrate Challenge – What’s happened since?
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Activity 1
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
A 4R Case Study Examining Nitrogen
4R Lesson 3: Prince Edward Island (PEI) & Their Hot Potato Challenge
Activity 1 – A 4R Case Study Examining Prince Edward Island and Nitrates
Overview
Activity one introduces students to the concept of PEI’s potato farmers, the industry, and also the
nitrate challenge. This exercise is based on real life events and is applicable to allow students to
understand some of the pressures of facing farming today, and a solid solution to our
environmental challenge.
Materials
Background information on PEI
PEI Activity sheets
Teacher PP Presentation
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
Explain to the class that this is not a fictitious example. It is based on a real life example
concerning the potato farmers in PEI. Discuss and introduce to the class the idea of farming and
how farmers sell what they can grow. They sell the crops that are ideal for their area and local
conditions. Many farmers also tend to use the same farm practices for years because they are
profitable. But what happens if environmental concerns are a result of your farm practices and
it’s your livelihood?
Expectations:
Students will:
 Assess on the basis of research, the environmental impacts of agricultural runoff from
excess fertilizer, more specifically involving the nutrient Nitrogen.
 Analyze some of the risks involved, the growing trends over the years, and understand
why change is needed in PEI.
 Explain agricultural practices in terms of potato farming and the long term effects of
typically potato farming. What happened in PEI?
 Identify the basic components of sustainable agriculture, and describe the main principles
of 4R nutrient stewardship.
Explain the history of PEI and why that island is ideal for potato farming.
Students’ response may include the following
 Soil type
 Climate
 Potato farming practices handed down from generations
 Moisture (soil, air, and water)
 Potato trials and breeding
 Home of McCain’s (frozen French fry market), economic market for selling
If one or more of these responses is not mentioned by a student continue to ask guiding
questions to guide specific answers from them.
Call attention to the facts of PEI, potato farming, and the nitrate challenge based on the Teacher
Background Resource. Explain what has been the overall trend since 2008? And ask students
why is this a concern?
Students’ responses will vary. Some should point out that PEI is the only province to get 100% of
its drinking water from groundwater sources.
Continue with the case study handout for students, followed by the case study questions.
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Activity 1
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
Teacher Resource – PEI Background Material
Activity 1
Teacher Background Material – Teacher Resource : Background information on PEI and
the Nitrate Challenge
The Goods on PEI
Prince Edward Island (PEI) also known as the “Garden of the Gulf” is Canada’s smallest
province, famous for its iron-rich red soil, the rolling hills like in the story Green Gables, and of
course it’s home to 1000’s and 1000’s of acres of potatoes and potato farms. Producing on over
88,000 acres of potatoes to be exact, according to the PEI Potato Board in 2014.
It’s a special province not only because it’s an island, but also because it’s the only Canadian
province whose residents are entirely dependent on groundwater for their drinking water.
Meaning 100% of islanders rely on groundwater sources (or wells) to act as their drinking water.
Another interesting fact about PEI is that it’s also the province with the largest percentage (%) of
cultivated land, also known as tilled land for growing potatoes. For centuries farmers have been
growing potatoes, many of them bound for the frozen french fry market. Anything in moderation
is good, but is this too much of a good thing? As we all know, land management activities
typically have consequences sometimes showing up years later. Remember…we all live
downstream of someone else.
POTATO FARMING 101
So why PEI is ideal for growing potatoes?
Growing potatoes on PEI is much, much more than a business, it is a way of life for islanders!
Growers take pride in producing high quality potatoes on PEI and each year the province has
near ideal conditions for growing them. The red iron rich soil is perfect as it holds just the right
amount of moisture through the growing season. The warm island summers and cold winters
combined with adequate rainfall make excellent growing conditions. The ocean also acts as
natural barrier to diseases and also helps transport the crop in and out of the province.
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Activity 1
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
Student Resource – Nitrate Challenge
Activity 1 Case Study – Student
PEI & THE NITRATE CHALLENGE?
Although what makes for perfect potato-land, may also pose a challenge in terms of nutrients,
better known as NITROGEN. It’s PEI’s hot potato issue and please pardon the pun but they have
become a real challenge over the years.
Let’s Meet the Nutrient Nitrogen – Why the Concern?
Nitrogen is used as a form of fertilizer, essential for producing the perfect potato. It can become a
problem however if you have too little, but more so troublesome if you have too much. Too much
nitrogen can cause nitrate leaching into groundwater sources and sometimes drinking water
sources. Resulting health problems associated with contaminated drinking water? Example –
babies.
The big idea here is to ensure you are practicing 4R nutrient stewardship to ensure you have the
Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place for growing potatoes.
As an element it also makes up about 80% percent of the air we breath.
Starting to surface around 2008, nitrates became an environmental concern when they began to
surface in groundwater sources in PEI at higher than average (Figure 2) concentrations. Under
: Consequences
of climatic changes on contamination of
the Canadian Drinking Water Quality Guidelines, nitrates concentration is not to exceed 10mg/L.
7; http//adaptation.nrcan.gc.projdb/pdf/109_e.pdf)
But average nitrate concentration from 2000 to 2008 showed it averages from 3 to 5 times higher
than the Canadian Guideline, and especially in areas of more intensive agriculture. Yikes!
ater
els
Average Groundwater Nitrate
Concentrations (mg/L)
5 to 10 (10)
3 to 5 (25)
nge
2 to 3 (10)
0 to 2 (5)
*Based on 14555 samples from 2000 to 2005
5
of
eas
0
25
50
kilometers
Figure
3.1: Average
nitrate concentrations
(mg/L) in groundwater
PEI from 2000 to 2005.
Figure
2. Average
nitrate concentrations
in ingroundwater
in
PEI
Nitrates were also found in a number of the fresh surface water bodies and estuaries, however
this case study is concentrating on the nitrates in groundwater sources. But there is a link
between nitrates in groundwater and nitrates in surface water.
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Activity 1
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
Student Resource – Nitrate Challenge
Figure 3.2: PEI Potato Production & Nitrate Concentrations in Island Streams (1966-2013).
Reference: PEI Environment, Labour and Justice Department, 2014.
Identifying Long Term Trends in PEI nitrate contamination of drinking water is a critically
important issue for Prince Edward Island. Although clear links exist between nitrate contamination
and human, environmental, and aquatic health, it can be a really big concern. The good news is
since 2008, preventative measures and actions are currently being implemented, supported, and
measured. And that’s where 4R nutrient stewardship comes into place.
Examining the Trends
If we take a closer look at the historical areas in potato production in PEI and compare them with
the overall nitrate concentrations in Island Streams, what do you see? (Figure XX)
Perhaps a direct positive correlation in most the Island streams demonstrating an upward trend
for nitrates and potato growing. The government of PEI issued a commissioned report to help
identify the issues at hand. Results of the PEI commissioned report demonstrate that a number
of sources were creating an increase in nitrates, but specifically excessive amounts of fertilizer as
used in agriculture was identified.
PEI & The Nitrate Challenge Discussion
Ask the following questions for an open discussion based on the case study information. To be
asked individually or in groups of 2-3 to the class. Ask student to record their answers and open
the floor to a formal discussion
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Activity 2
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
The Great Island Debate
Activity 2 - The Great Island Debate
Overview
To create a mock problem solving scenario and debate promoting potential solutions to PEI’s hot
potato known as the nitrate challenge.
Materials
Student brainpower
Pen/pencil
Paper
Small groups
Instructions:
In small groups, ask students to choose one of the potential stakeholder groups found in PEI.
Each represents a different view on PEI’s Nitrate Challenge. Some of the groups may be:
Government
Potato Farmers
Fertilizer Industry
Islanders (PEI residents)
Watershed Association
Food Industry (Cavendish Farms)
Once stakeholder groups have been established, ask each student to think about and brainstorm
their vision. Think about views and opinions of these individuals.
What role do they play in the nitrate challenge?
Why is this important to them?
Are they acting or interested in sustainability? Profit? Economic goals? Social Goals?
Ask each group to formulate a shared group vision, plan, and timeline for finding a solution to the
nitrate concern. Remember business is business.
Then ask students to develop a strong argument as a group to share with class. Each group is to
have 3-5 minutes to present their argument and collectively the teacher will assist if necessary in
discussing their options, solutions, and final outcomes to PEI’s hot potato. After each group has
presented a 1 minute rebuttal is optional for each group. Followed by a class vote for a solution.
Potential discussion questions to present/ask:
Identify your group’s level of support, “hidden agenda” items, and role in this environmental
challenge?
What are some possible solutions for minimizing environmental concerns associated with
excessive fertilizer use in agriculture for PEI?
Where does your group stand on nutrient stewardship and why?
What are the next steps for your group?
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Activity 3
PEI and the Nitrate Challenge
The Results Are Still Growing
Activity 3: The Results Are Still Growing
Overview
PEI’s progress on the nitrate challenge (video) showcases what has happened within the first few
years of applying 4R nutrient stewardship on some fields in PEI. It’s one of many solutions at
work for farmers on the island. This activity allows students to understand the real life solutions
applicable to our present environmental challenge with Nitrates and our potato farming practices.
Materials
4R Video of PEI’s Farm Tour 2013
Audio and video equipment
Potato chips or healthy potato snack(optional)
Watch video with students and start a discussion on the benefits of sustainable agriculture.
Instructions
After watching the brief video, open the floor for a discussion with the class. A few things you
might want to talk about:





The concept of farmers sell what they can grow
Profitability of farming
What are island conditions for farming
What are some options for other solutions
What do you think might happen to water quality trends in the future? In the next five
years? In the next ten years?
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