Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)

Please check out our new website:

www.GratiotConservationDistrict.org


What is the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)?

MAEAP is a confidential, helpful process of working with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to meet environmental laws. It is a comprehensive, voluntary, proactive program designed to reduce farmers’ legal and environmental risks through a three-phase process.


Three-phase Process:
1) Education, 2) Farm-specific Risk Assessment, and 3) On-farm Verification that ensures the farmer has implemented environmentally sound practices. The program’s three systems each examine different aspects of the farm.

The three systems are:
*Farmstead
*Cropping
*Livestock

To get started, or for more information, contact MAEAP Technician Earl Krom at 989-640-4508 or by email at earl.krom@mi.nacdnet.net.

Reasons to be MAEAP Verified:

*Confirm, improve and be proud of your natural resource stewardship and help your neighbors and community understand your respect for the environment.
*Avoid civil fines and penalties if your farm is faced with an unintentional, accidental discharge to the water or an “Act of God Weather Event.”
*Use the MAEAP logo and MAEAP sign to market your farm and farm products.
*Be recognized by peers, member organizations, and local government as a leader who is setting the bar in farm management and environmental stewardship.
*Boost your access to cost-share funds.
*Receive up to a 20% discount on the Liability Portion of your Farm Bureau Insurance Farmowner’s Policy premium.
*Confidence that you are in conformance with applicable Right to Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices.
*If a farm is MAEAP verified in all applicable “systems” and is in a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Watershed, the farm will be considered as implementing the practices needed to meet a TMDL.


Pesticide Credits Available for MAEAP
By Earl Krom

In 2010 the Michigan Department of Agriculture of Rural Development (MDARD) changed the way re-certification credits are earned and the total number of credits required for re-certification. In the past MDARD awarded one credit for every two hours of training and required a total of twelve credits for re-certification. Since January 1, 2010, MDARD has been awarding one credit for each hour of training and now requires a total of sixteen credits for private applicator license re-certification.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) can help farmers earn credits for re-certification. By going through Farm*A*Syst and Crop*A*Syst assessments with a MAEAP Technician, farmers can earn up to four credits for each assessment. Farmers who achieve MAEAP Verification in the Farmstead or Cropping system can get up to eight credits for each verification.

If you are interested in earning credits for re-certification or want more information on MAEAP please contact Earl Krom at (989) 640-4508.

Earl Krom is the MAEAP Technician works for the Clinton Conservation District serving Clinton and Gratiot Counties, and can be reached at (989) 640-4508 or by email at earl.krom@mi.nacdnet.net.


MAEAP Verifications in Gratiot County
By Earl Krom

The Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) has been a high priority for Governor Snyder. He has recently increased funding for agriculture programs in the State and has specifically been encouraging farmers to become MAEAP Verified. The verification process provides free technical advice and assist farmers comply with the Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs). The Conservation District wants to acknowledge and congratulate the following farms on their recent verifications: the Humm Farm in Breckenridge, Cary’s Pioneer Farms in Alma, G & L Waldron Farms in Sumner, the Dave Owens farm in Elwell, and the Maple Shade Farm in Perrinton. For more information about the MAEAP program, contact our MAEAP Technician Earl Krom at 989-640-4508.

Earl Krom is the MAEAP Technician works for the Clinton Conservation District serving Clinton and Gratiot Counties, and can be reached at (989) 640-4508 or by email at earl.krom@mi.nacdnet.net.