Water pollution comes from many sources, and some of it comes from farms. That's why Alpena-Montmorency Conservation District is standing by to help you enroll in the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This program offers assistance and recognition to farmers who reduce erosion and runoff from private land into public waters.
This program is free and voluntary. Everything we learn about your farm is 100% confidential. This is guaranteed by state law.
Farmers who earn MAEAP recognition will receive a sign to display on their farm. This sign will show that you are a top steward in your community. You may also benefit from regulatory protections and be at an advantage for additional expert help and cost share. Above all, you will earn an enduring sense of pride and accomplishment for your work.
This program is free and voluntary. Everything we learn about your farm is 100% confidential. This is guaranteed by state law.
Farmers who earn MAEAP recognition will receive a sign to display on their farm. This sign will show that you are a top steward in your community. You may also benefit from regulatory protections and be at an advantage for additional expert help and cost share. Above all, you will earn an enduring sense of pride and accomplishment for your work.
You can earn:
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We promise:
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MAEAP recognition is:
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MAEAP helps farmers adopt cost-effective practices that reduce erosion and runoff into ponds, streams, and rivers. This, in turn, helps farmers comply with state and federal laws. MAEAP is a voluntary program. We recognize and reward top stewards of the land. This is a state program delivered by conservation districts, local leaders you know. MAEAP is open to any Michigan farmer. There are four categories of recognition: 1) Cropping, 2) Livestock, 3) Farmstead, and 4) Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat.
The program includes four steps:
The program includes four steps:
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LearnAttend a workshop or schedule a private meeting to learn if MAEAP is right for you. Alternately, you can review educational materials on the MAEAP website at your own pace.
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Farm Visit & RecommendationsInvite a MAEAP technician to tour your farm. This technician will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to reduce erosion and runoff into public waters.
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Everything the technician learns about your farm will remain confidential and will not be shared with your competition or environmental regulators.
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ImplementDo the work at your own pace. Our MAEAP technicians are here to help you every step of the way. A technician will help you develop your plan of action, and fill out paperwork. He or she will also steer you to cost share and expert help, if you want.
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RecognitionOnce the work is complete, you can contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. A verifier from MDARD will visit your farm to ensure the recommended practices are in place and address erosion and runoff risks on your land. When the work is done, we will give you a sign to place on your farm and send you a certificate signed by the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
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What MAEAP-Recognized Farmers Say
Doug Darling
Darling Farms "We’ are participating in MAEAP because we recognize the benefit to the environment, our community and our farming operation. I encourage more farms to pursue verification in MAEAP." |
Bruce and Jennifer Lewis
Pleasant View Dairy “We believe electively opting to participate in MAEAP... will help farmers keep up with the rapid pace of environmental and sustainability-based industry changes... The fourth generation is now learning and preparing for their future as we all try to leave our farmstead better than we found it.” |
Art Lister
Lister Orchards "A big advantage of the MAEAP program is that it’ is a proactive approach to work with producers. I want to know that I am doing everything I can to protect the environment, and this assures me that I am doing just that." |