By Staff
Interest in Michigan's voluntary, proactive program for assuring effective land stewardship practices on farms is growing, according to Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Mitch Irwin.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing Mihills Farms in Cass County as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock System for complying with state and federal environmental regulations specific to the program.
In addition, Mihills Farms was also verified in the Farmstead.
Technical assistance was provided by Mike Stickle of Cass Conservation Distrcit.
MAEAP officially launched in December 2000 as a collaborative effort of producers, MDA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, Michigan State University (MSU), conservation groups and other state and federal agencies.
The first farm was verified under MAEAP in March 2002.
More than 150 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification.
To date, more than 3,000 farmers have attended educational programs.
To become MAEAP-verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment and developing and implementing an action plan that addresses potential environmental risks.
MDA then conducts an on-farm inspection to verify compliance with applicable state and federal environmental regulations, Michigan Right to Farm guidelines and adherence to an action plan.
When completed, the producer receives a certificate of environmental assurance.
To remain a MAEAP- verified farm, inspections must be conducted every three years and action steps must be followed.
MAEAP is designed as a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources.
The program encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation.
Each system - Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping - examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact.
By participating in all three systems, producers can comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks.
For more information, visit the MAEAP Web site at www.maeap.org or contact Jan Wilford, MDA Environmental Stewardship Division, at 517/241-4730.