Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

​Water pollution comes from many sources, and some of it comes from farms. That's why Eaton Conservation District is standing by to help you enroll in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This program offers assistance and recognition to farmers who 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. 
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Farmers who earn MAEAP recognition will receive a sign to display on their farm. This sign will show that you are a top steward in your community. You may also benefit from regulatory protections and be at an advantage for additional expert help and cost share. Above all, you will earn an enduring sense of pride and accomplishment for your work.
You can earn:
  • 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 
We promise:
  • 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 
MAEAP recognition 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 helps farmers adopt cost-effective practices that reduce erosion and runoff into ponds, streams, and rivers. This, in turn, helps farmers comply with state and federal laws.  MAEAP is a voluntary program. We recognize and reward top stewards of the land. This is a state program delivered by conservation districts, local leaders you know. MAEAP is open to any Michigan farmer. There are four categories of recognition: 1) Cropping, 2) Livestock, 3) Farmstead, and 4) Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat. 
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The program includes four steps:

LEARN

​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. 

FARM VISIT & RECOMMENDATIONS

Invite a MAEAP technician to tour your farm. This 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. ​

IMPLEMENT

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 will also steer you to cost share and expert help, if you want. ​

RECOGNITION

​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.

WHAT MAEAP-RECOGNIZED FARMERS SAY

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."

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."
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Allison Kerr, MAEAP Technician serving Eaton & Ingham counties
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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.