Name

Andrea McKenna

Occupation

Executive Director of the East Prince Agri-Environment Association

Owner of Bunny Burrow Vegetable Co.

Owner of Dialed in Precision Ag Services Ltd.

Co-Chair for the Canadian Living Labs Network

What does your job entail?

As the Executive Director of the East Prince Agri-Environment Association (EPAA), a grassroots organization made up of 15 farm families in PEI, I oversee all of our projects, manage our dedicated staff, and cultivate strong relationships with board members and external stakeholders. My goal is to ensure seamless management and execution of initiatives undertaken by the EPAA, while also fostering partnerships, building networks, and championing farmer-led research.

How long have you been involved in agriculture\food industry on PEI?

I’ve been involved in the agriculture industry for about 20 years. Over the past decade, I’ve worked directly in the sector here on Prince Edward Island. Before that, I served as the Executive Director for the Federation of Agriculture in Newfoundland. I also participated as a board member or committee member for different national organizations such as Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Sector Council, Canadian Agriculture in the Classroom and Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

What is your education/experience prior to entering your current job?

I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University and a Master of Business with a specialization in Evidence-Based Management from UPEI. The principles of evidence-based decision making are central to the work we do at EPAA, ensuring that our projects are grounded in real data, practical insights, and collaborative research with farmers.

I did not grow up on a farm, but I started working in the agriculture industry in Newfoundland when I moved back from Toronto shortly after finishing my undergraduate degree. One of the first projects I completed was a Human Resource Needs.

Assessment to identify gaps in the agriculture workforce and training requirements to fill those gaps. When I would meet the business owners to conduct interviews, it was usually a sit down with a husband and wife team and their kids. I realized that is an extremely important factor for anyone studying the agriculture industry – to realize that these businesses are unlike any other business. It involves the whole family and is not a job but a way of life. These conversations ignited my passion for agriculture and today I am still dedicated to building resourceful networks that support farm families.

What’s your favourite way to eat PEI products?

I love PEI potatoes mashed, but they’ve got to be served alongside PEI carrots and turnips (more specifically Bunny Burrow carrots and turnips because they’re the tastiest). That’s the classic combo at our house. We eat potatoes just about every way you can cook them, but mashed is still my favourite.

When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?

I remember wanting to be a teacher when I was younger, although as I got older, that no longer felt like the right fit. My interests shifted as I moved through school, and I ended up taking a different direction. Looking back, I’m proud of where I’ve landed. Working in agriculture and alongside some of the most innovative and forward-thinking people in the industry has been incredibly rewarding.

What would you want consumers to know about your business and the agriculture/food industry?

Farmers care deeply about the health of their soil and the environment. We want the best for our kids, we want them to have quality healthy food and a healthy environment to grow up in. Through precision agriculture technologies farmers monitor and manage their fields carefully using data to apply only what is needed whether that is nutrients, water, or other resources. This careful approach helps protect the land, maintain clean air and water, and supports sustainable crop production for the future.

Collaboration is a big part of how we support this. Through partnerships like Living Lab PEI and other projects, farmers, researchers, and organizations work side by side to develop practical and innovative solutions. This teamwork helps improve sustainability and productivity while protecting the land for future generations. It is a shared commitment to caring for the environment and providing quality food.

Why do you do what you do?

There’s no industry I’d rather be in than agriculture because it’s at the core of everything we need. We need to eat, drink, and clothe ourselves, and it all starts with agriculture. It is a vital industry that relies on the efforts of people from many different backgrounds and areas of expertise. I truly enjoy being in a role where I can work directly with farmers, researchers, and others who share a passion for discovering new ways to improve production and strengthen our agriculture community.

I am proud to lead a group of forward-thinking farmers who are committed to participating in research today to protect our environment and agriculture industry for the long term. Building networks across diverse disciplines is key to driving meaningful innovation and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture.

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