Joanne Driscoll receives 2022 PEIIA Recognition Award

Joanne Driscoll receives 2022 PEIIA Recognition Award

The Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists annually presents an award to an individual whose achievements and service to agriculture in province has been outstanding.  This year, the PEIIA was pleased to present its Recognition Award to Joanne Driscoll.

Joanne graduated from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, continuing on to MacDonald College to complete her education in 1987.  Shortly thereafter, Joanne was hired by the PEI Horticulture Association as a crop scout. She gained tremendous experience and knowledge about the agronomy of horticultural crops and formed excellent, life-long working relationships with producers. Eventually, Joanne assumed the role of Executive Director of the association and has led initiatives for research and agronomy; has addressed industry issues facing horticultural producers and has improved the overall productivity and profitability of the sector. Joanne is a champion for PEI horticultural producers in many venues across Canada.

Joanne is also a key support for all Island producers who follow CanadaGAP food safety protocols and has sat on the technical advisory committee of CanadaGAP for years. Her intimate understanding of production and packing practices on farm benefits this committee, and she understands what the impacts to farm operations are. Joanne is also an important leader in the Canadian Horticulture Council (now the Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada) sitting on a number of working groups, representing grower’s interests and mentoring board members.

In her role at the PEIHA, Joanne has hired many young people and has mentored them in the agriculture industry. She sets an example of dedication, passion and integrity.

Numerous growers and industry members will say that the PEI Horticulture industry could not survive without Joanne. She is a driving force for changes in production and labour practices, and she guides producers through the complicated regulatory environments in which they do business.

Joanne’s level of knowledge, dedication and patience are endless. She has spent decades passionately working to improve productivity and profitability for countless farmers on PEI. She always puts other peoples needs ahead of her own, and her humble spirit has required.

Photo:  Joanne Driscoll (center) receives the 2022 PEIIA Recognition Award from horticultural crop grower Gerald Dykerman (right) and PEI Department of Agriculture & Land horticultural crop specialist Lorraine MacKinnon, P.Ag.

Prince Edward Island Institute of Agrologists
info@peiia.ca