Symposium Agenda

6:00 PM

Welcome Reception

Join us for an informal welcome reception with light refreshments where you can relax, connect with fellow attendees, and get settled in before the event begins. If you’re still hungry afterward, there are plenty of great dining options nearby to explore. Check out local restaurants here.

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Symposium Day 1

The 2025 PSA Summer Symposium kicks off with a full day of educational sessions and collaborative activities. Day one topics of discussion include:

• Variety development and selection in sustainability: Variety development and selection have the potential to make dramatic impacts in sustainability. This session will broaden the understanding of those impacts across the value chain.
• The influence of pollinators on sustainability: Pollinators are a hot sustainability topic. This session will look at pollinator health and habitat from multiple perspectives and explore how PSA can drive progress on this issue.
• Allied Industry Panel: A panel of Allied Industries members will share their company’s approach to sustainability, the practical sustainable solutions they’re developing for the potato acre, and how their efforts align with PSA’s broader goals.
• Membership sector breakouts: Membership involvement is crucial for the Alliance’s strength. In this Members-only gathering, each PSA sector will discuss current issues, assess capacity, and explore strategies to influence the industry. Discussions will be guided by moderators, with planned topics and intended outcomes.
• PSA Program on-farm assessment insights: PSA has collected on-farm production practice data for many years. This session will delve into insights from the most recent 2024 assessment and provide a deeper look at our historical data. 
• PSA Program verification: PSA is working to develop a program verification protocol to be implemented in 2026, aimed at confirming the accuracy of our 2025 assessment submissions. This session will provide an update to the board, participants, and membership, so bring your questions and suggestions!
• PSA Education Portal: The PSA Education Portal is a central hub for program participants and members to access resources such as field days, webinars, conferences, workshops, and regional projects, all focused on enhancing sustainability. In this session, we will discuss the portal’s development and explore how these resources can drive continuous improvement.

5:00 PM

Lobster Supper

Experience a delicious seafood dinner at New Glasgow Lobster Suppers, featuring the region’s finest seafood, for an evening of great food, networking, and fun. This optional dinner costs $45 USD, which includes transportation to the restaurant. Be sure to select it when registering!

8:00 AM – Noon

Symposium Day 2

Day two of the Symposium will kick off with a morning of engaging educational and collaborative sessions, followed by exciting PEI industry tours in the afternoon! The morning’s topics of discussion include: 

• Soil borne pathogens and sustainability: This session will explore key concerns surrounding soil-borne pathogens, including the challenges posed by potato wart and other pathogens, and the strategies Prince Edward Island growers have used to address them. We will also discuss broader soil health issues and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. 

• Breakout Sessions: These interactive sessions will provide participants with the opportunity to explore specific topics in depth, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions. One session will feature Iowa State University leading a listening session to support a project examining neonicotinoid regulations and potential alternatives in potato production (Potato IPM Project).  In another session, we will introduce our first PSA Position Paper, and discuss ways our community can be involved in developing additional papers, further establishing PSA as an industry thought leader. Finally, in our third breakout, we’ll get specific on strategies and tactics for getting more influence from variety development on sustainability into the potato value chain.

• Potato storage and sustainability: This session will explore the latest advancements in potato storage techniques and discuss their role in promoting sustainability within the industry.

• Creating collaborative projects: PSA offers a diverse approach to sustainability by connecting growers, resources, data, and sustainable outcomes. This session will explore strategies for developing collaborative initiatives that drive meaningful improvements across the industry.

• Listening session: This final session provides attendees with the opportunity to offer feedback on the event sessions and propose key topics for next year’s event.

1:00 PM

PEI Industry Tours

Join us for guided industry tours that will showcase key sustainability efforts in the region. Transportation will be provided, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience as we visit multiple tour locations. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore industry innovations and gain valuable insights firsthand!

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

PSA Board Meeting

PSA Board members should plan their stay to attend the Board of Directors meeting in the morning. Please note, this meeting is not part of the official Symposium agenda, but attendees who are in town for the event are welcome to attend.

We aim to accommodate afternoon departures, but Board members are advised to book their flights for later in the afternoon to participate, as airport times may vary.