P.E.I. names point person for potatoes

Going beyond the traditional ag extension duties of its potato specialists, Prince Edward Island has created the role of a potato industry co-ordinator.

Rachel Cheverie, the province’s integrated pest management (IPM) specialist at Charlottetown for the past eight years, has been appointed to the new role, which will include co-ordination of potato sector research and the province’s potato-related activities and events, as well as the usual extension work of a potato specialist.

Cheverie will also be the provincial contact for a number of national committees on potatoes and pesticide risk reduction, the province noted in a release.

“This new focus will enable the department to strengthen its support to the Prince Edward Island potato industry,” said Agriculture Minister Neil LeClair in a release.