Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
Water pollution comes from many sources, and some of it comes from farms. That's why Kalamazoo Conservation District is available to help you enroll in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This program offers assistance and recognition to farms of all sizes that 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 receive a sign to display on their farm to show that they are a top steward in the community. As a verified farm, you may also benefit from regulatory protections and be at an advantage for additional expert help and cost share funds on the farm. Above all, you will earn an enduring sense of pride and accomplishment for your work.
Kalamazoo County MAEAP Technician
Click the button to schedule a free and 100% confidential visit with your local MAEAP technician to discuss whether this voluntary program is right for you.
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
The program is 100% confidential, guaranteed by state law
We will treat you and your business with respect
We will help you with the paperwork and red tape
We will help you leave a legacy for your children
Is achievable. Farms have earned more than 5000 verifications across the state
Something to be proud of. You can be among the top 5% of farms who have earned this designation so far
MAEAP verification helps farmers comply with state and federal laws and is open to any Michigan farmer. There are four categories of
recognition: 1) Cropping, 2) Livestock, 3) Farmstead, and 4) Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat.
Farms are reverified every 5 years remain compliant with the MAEAP program.
Attend 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.
Invite a MAEAP technician to tour your farm. The technician will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to reduce erosion and runoff into public waters.
Everything the technician learns about your farm will remain confidential and will not be shared with your competition or environmental regulators!
Do 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 can also steer you to cost share opportunities and expert help, if you'd like.
Once 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.
Bruce & 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."
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."
| Monday - Thursday | 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM |
| Because we are a field office, please call before you visit to confirm someone will be in to assist you. | |
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