Name

Kyra Stiles

Occupation

Agri-Environmental Development Coordinator for the PEI Department of Agriculture.

What does your job entail?

My work has a variety of different aspects to it. There’s a research side, a program coordination side, and on farm extension particularly in nutrient management and soil health. This involves working with a variety of agriculture researchers, agronomists, and producers on many projects related to nutrient management, soil health and soil quality demonstrations. I also lead many of our department-led research projects, including the PEI Soil Quality Monitoring Project, long-term agricultural greenhouse gas emissions projects with Dalhousie’s University’s Greenhouse Gas Lab, and many other projects related to soil quality and soil health testing.

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

About 12 years now. After I finished my education at Dalhousie University in Truro, I moved over to the Island and I have been working in this position since 2013.

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

I started off as a summer student for the Potato Research Center in Fredericton, NB and that is where my interest in soil research originated. I went to school at the University of New Brunswick and received my Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Biology. Then I continued on to the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus where I took a Master of Science in Agriculture with a focus on Environmental Science. During my Masters degree all of my research and field work was on PEI focusing on nitrogen movement in potato production, so that is what led me here to the Island.

Are you involved in any extracurricular or community activities?

I spend a lot of my time outdoors and really enjoy gardening, and hiking with our kids. I am also involved with the PEI Senior Women’s Soccer league.

What’s your favourite way to eat PEI products?

There are too many to choose just one- but local berries (fresh when available and frozen) and most ADL dairy products are all staples in our house.

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

I have always enjoyed jobs that required being outside or were strongly connected to the environment and seasonality. And I really enjoy that my work currently keeps me so connected to soil and food production.

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

The agriculture industry here on PEI is very innovative and there is significant collaboration going on between farmers and researchers, together always looking at new sustainable management practices. There is a lot of very valuable research going on here on PEI, and a vast network of individuals working tirelessly to make sure that it is always evolving.

Why do you do what you do?

I really enjoy working with the agricultural community here on PEI, including working alongside producers, as well as the many different agriculture research and industry producers and watershed associations. I value the fact that my work is diverse and is always changing throughout the season, and that it has a strong agri-environmental and sustainable lens.

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