MICHIGAN AGRICULTURE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE PROGRAM (MAEAP)

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.

GET STARTED

MAEAP Features

Farmstead System

The Farmstead System reviews potential risks at the farm site. This includes a review of chemical, fuel and pesticide storage, and wells. It may also include manure storage on livestock farms. This system is applicable to all farms.

Cropping System

The Cropping System reviews production practices that occur wherever crops are grown on the farm. It reviews risks associated with pesticide and nutrient application, erosion control, and record keeping.

Livestock System

The Livestock System reviews practices related to livestock production. This includes manure storage, transfer and land application, record keeping, feed storage, and lot management. It relates to all types of livestock produced on the farm.

Forest, Wetlands and Habitat System

The Forest, Wetlands & Habitat System reviews management practices relating to areas on the farm with woodlands, wetlands, and other types of managed habitats. This review looks at the management plans created for all of these land uses to promote and ensure sustainable practices are being implemented.

3 Phases of MAEAP

Phase 1: Learn

Attend a qualifying workshop or other educational meeting on agriculture or wildlife habitat-related topics. Alternately, you can review educational materials on the MAEAP website at your own pace. www.michigan.gov/maeap

Phase 2: Assess

Invite our MAEAP technician to tour your farm. This technician will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of erosion, runoff, and spills reaching public waters.Everything the technician learns about your farm will remain confidential. Once the technician leaves, you can implement the recommendations at your own pace.

Phase 3: Verification

Once the work is complete, reach back out to your technician and they will schedule a verifier from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to visit your farm to ensure the recommended practices are in place and address erosion and runoff risks on your land. When the Verifier 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.

What you can earn:

Recognition as a top steward in the community
Regulatory protections
Preferred consideration for technical assistance and cost share
An enduring sense of accomplishment and pride