Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
A MAEAP Update
from Chris Anderson
from Chris Anderson
In the many years that I have worked with agricultural producers through the conservation districts I have had three different titles. I started as a Groundwater Technician. Then I was a Water Stewardship Technician. And finally in 2012 I became a MAEAP Technician. Through all the different title changes the job has stayed the same but sometimes there were additional duties added. So now I will tell you that the job title has changed once again and now instead of MAEAP Technicians, we are called Conservation Technicians. And the program I work under is now called the Conservation Technical Assistance Program. So, what is the title change for this time? Two words: Regenerative Agriculture.
MAEAP is still going strong so do not worry, it is not going away. I will still be doing education programs, farm assessments, and getting farmers verified and re-verified. But our program now also works with the regenerative agriculture department of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Their aim is to improve soil health in Michigan. So, in addition to my MAEAP duties, I will be doing soil health assessments and conducting farmer surveys to gauge the interest in MAEAP and regenerative agriculture. In the coming months I will be finding out more about the newest details of the program. But in the meantime, I will still be working to get new verifications done and to contact farms that need to be reverified.
One final bit of news about MAEAP is that 2025 is the year for reauthorization. That means the funding that pays for the program needs to be renewed by the Michigan legislature. So, with that being said there may be more changes coming down the road since that funding bill sets parameters for the program for the future. Change is a constant in the world. I think these changes for this new year could have a positive impact on what I can offer to farmers in the area for the future.
MAEAP is a confidential, voluntary, and free environmental verification program. There is no cost for a site visit. We cover agriculture of all sizes and all commodities. We even verify forests, wetlands, and habitat for landowners. If you have any questions or want to have me out to your farm or property please contact me, Chris Anderson, MAEAP Technician at (231) 582-6193.
MAEAP is still going strong so do not worry, it is not going away. I will still be doing education programs, farm assessments, and getting farmers verified and re-verified. But our program now also works with the regenerative agriculture department of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Their aim is to improve soil health in Michigan. So, in addition to my MAEAP duties, I will be doing soil health assessments and conducting farmer surveys to gauge the interest in MAEAP and regenerative agriculture. In the coming months I will be finding out more about the newest details of the program. But in the meantime, I will still be working to get new verifications done and to contact farms that need to be reverified.
One final bit of news about MAEAP is that 2025 is the year for reauthorization. That means the funding that pays for the program needs to be renewed by the Michigan legislature. So, with that being said there may be more changes coming down the road since that funding bill sets parameters for the program for the future. Change is a constant in the world. I think these changes for this new year could have a positive impact on what I can offer to farmers in the area for the future.
MAEAP is a confidential, voluntary, and free environmental verification program. There is no cost for a site visit. We cover agriculture of all sizes and all commodities. We even verify forests, wetlands, and habitat for landowners. If you have any questions or want to have me out to your farm or property please contact me, Chris Anderson, MAEAP Technician at (231) 582-6193.
Take a quick minute to learn about the FORESTRY PORTION of MAEAP by listening to the audio below!
MISSION:
To develop and implement a proactive environmental assurance program ensuring that Michigan farmers are engaging in cost-effective pollution prevention practices and working to comply with state and federal environmental regulations. It is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.
ABOUT MAEAP:
MAEAP was developed by a coalition of farmers, commodity groups, state and federal agencies, and conservation and environmental groups to provide a venue for farmers to become better educated about management options in order to help protect and enhance the quality of natural resources. It is not a government or regulatory program, but rather a partnership effort unified for the protection of natural resources and advancement of positive community and neighbor relations.
With confidentiality guaranteed by law, MAEAP provides a structure under which Michigan farmers can be assured they are effectively following all current Right to Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs) and are working to comply with state and federal environmental laws specific to each system of the program.
For more information, please visit the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) website.
Christopher D. Anderson
Conservation Technician
Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties
email: [email protected]
Phone: (231)-582-6193
Phone: (231)582-7341
Charlevoix Conservation District
303 North Street
Boyne City, MI 49712
Available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM.
To develop and implement a proactive environmental assurance program ensuring that Michigan farmers are engaging in cost-effective pollution prevention practices and working to comply with state and federal environmental regulations. It is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks.
ABOUT MAEAP:
MAEAP was developed by a coalition of farmers, commodity groups, state and federal agencies, and conservation and environmental groups to provide a venue for farmers to become better educated about management options in order to help protect and enhance the quality of natural resources. It is not a government or regulatory program, but rather a partnership effort unified for the protection of natural resources and advancement of positive community and neighbor relations.
With confidentiality guaranteed by law, MAEAP provides a structure under which Michigan farmers can be assured they are effectively following all current Right to Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs) and are working to comply with state and federal environmental laws specific to each system of the program.
For more information, please visit the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) website.
Christopher D. Anderson
Conservation Technician
Charlevoix, Emmet, and Otsego Counties
email: [email protected]
Phone: (231)-582-6193
Phone: (231)582-7341
Charlevoix Conservation District
303 North Street
Boyne City, MI 49712
Available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM.
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