AGRICULTURE
WHAT IS MAEAP?
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program, commonly known as MAEAP (and recently re-labelled CTAP), is a voluntary program to help landowners assess soil and water quality risks on their properties. Originally geared towards supporting farmers, MAEAP has expanded to offer technical assistance to forest, wetland, and wildlife habitat properties as well.
MAEAP is 100% confidential, non-regulatory, and voluntary. Landowners are in the drivers seat of their MAEAP track.
Incentives for participating in the MAEAP program include:
Discounts from select equipment, insurance, and fuel suppliers
Free educational opportunities
Special support in case of environmental emergencies
Opportunities for cost-share funds from the Ionia Conservation District for things like chemical spill kits, concrete pads for fuel and chemical loading areas, soil and water tests, etc.
Additionally, landowners receive a sign that can be proudly displayed to show dedication to environmental stewardship. The MAEAP sign confirms to passersby that your farm or forest is properly managed, and also brings a great positive reaction from consumers and the public.
Click here to see the MAEAP incentives offered by Michigan Farm Bureau and other supporters.
MAEAP is open to any Michigan landowner and is not limited by size or practices.
There are four categories of recognition: 1) Cropping, 2) Livestock, 3) Farmstead, and 4) Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat.
USDA Partners
NRCS
HOW DO THEY HELP?
NRCS's natural resources conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. Public benefits include enhanced natural resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued economic development, recreation, and scenic beauty.
They can help lead you to better practices that are more efficient on your property.
NRCS MICHIGAN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
NRCS has several programs that provide financial assistance to agricultural producers to implement new conservation measures. Other programs allows landowners to sell development rights to their land that require the land to be maintained as wetlands or for specific agricultural uses.
Click here to learn more about the five steps to assistance from NRCS!
USDA FSA
(United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency)
HOW DO THEY HELP?
The FSA assists farmers in many ways, from helping farmers increase native green spaces to prevent erosion (through CRP), to providing disaster relief payments to farmers who dealt with revenue, quality, or production losses (Supplemental Disaster Relief Plan). They even have farm loans.
(Natural Resources Conservation Service)
USDA CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Interested in learning more about any of these programs?
Contact Ionia County NRCS or FSA Staff at 616-517-2098,
or visit them at the Ionia USDA Office location.
PRODUCE SAFETY
Our Produce Safety Technician, Morgan Anderson, is dedicated to providing on-farm technical assistance for produce growers. The On-Farm Produce Safety program aims to ensure producers are in compliance with the Produce Safety Rule (PSR),which is housed within the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA). Produce safety technicians work with growers to navigate produce safety standards and tailor food safety solutions based on the needs of their operation. This assistance can come in a variety of ways, depending on the goals of farmers.
All services provided by the technician are free, voluntary, confidential, and non-regulatory.
A key part of Morgan’s role is conducting an on-farm Produce Safety Risk Assessment (PSRA), which are available to any operation with produce– mixed commodity farms are eligible!
Ionia Resilient Farmers’ Network
Addressing key economic, environmental, and production challenges by utilizing improved management systems, precision technology, and regenerative practices.
Contact us to learn more about joining:
ioniacd@gmail.com or Luke Simpson (simpson.lucas@ymail.com)
Other Agricultural Resources:
