Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
MAEAP is a voluntary, free and confidential program that provides educational, technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and residents to identify and reduce surface and groundwater contamination risks. The program encourages individuals to take voluntary, proactive steps to protect Michigan’s water quality and, therefore, the quality of drinking water. MAEAP verification is available for all types and sizes of farms and all commodities – including for nurseries, greenhouses, and fruit growers.
Interested Branch County farmers and growers can prepare for MAEAP verification can contact the BCD MAEAP Tech, Chelsy. The technical staff can assess the conditions at a farm, suggest corrective steps to abide by MAEAP requirements, demonstrate cost-effective solutions you can implement to reduce ground and surface water pollution and can even offer cost-share to help pay for some of these practices and improvements.
MAEAP FAQs
If I schedule a visit with the MAEAP Technician, do I have to do the program?
No, the first site visit is informal, where you are invited to bring your questions and concerns about the verification process. Chelsy will help you decide if it is a suitable fit for you.
Do I need to be organic to qualify?
No, MAEAP is meant to highlight farmers who are doing a great job at what they do, no matter if you are growing organic or not.
Is the program confidential?
Yes, during the entire process of verification, you will be working only with Chelsy, and what she learns on your farm is 100% confidential.
What parts of my farm are eligible to get verified?
You can be verified as a cropping system, livestock system, farmstead system, or wetland/forest/habitat system, or any combination of the four.
How long does the verification process take?
Roughly a couple of months, but it varies farm by farm.
Do verifications expire?
Yes. Your verification is valid for five years, at which point you can choose to re-verify or not.
I was verified a long time ago. Can I still come back and be re-verified now?
Yes. However, be aware that MAEAP’s environmental standards may have slightly changed. The MAEAP Technician is required to verify you based on today’s standards.
How can I get in contact with the Branch County MAEAP Technician?
Call or email Chelsy Wagley:
chelsy.wagley@macd.org
517-278-2725 extension 113