MAEAP
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

There are numerous sources of water pollution, and farms can be one of them. This is why  Oakland Conservation District offers technical and financial assistance to help your farm become verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). MAEAP is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities  identify and minimize agricultural pollution risks.
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This program is free and voluntary. Everything we learn about your farm is 100% confidential. This is guaranteed by state law.

How it works

There are three phases to MAEAP verification:
Phase 1: Learn
Attend a qualifying workshop or other educational meeting on agriculture or wildlife habitat-related topics. Alternately, you can review educational materials on the MAEAP website at your own pace. 
Phase 2: Assess
Invite a MAEAP technician to tour your farm. This technician will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of erosion, runoff, and spills reaching public waters. Everything the technician learns about your farm will remain confidential. Once the technician leaves, you can implement the recommendations at your own pace.
Phase 3: Verification
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.

Systems

In a state whose agriculture is as diverse as Michigan's, a one-size-fits-all approach to environmental protection simply does not work.  That’s why MAEAP offers four different systems to address the specific needs of different farming operations: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock, and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat. From dairies to greenhouses, tree farms to stables, there is a MAEAP system that caters to every farm.

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

Testimonial

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KeLin Farm of Davisburg
"We are very glad we went through the MAEAP process. Last year our neighbor reported to our township that we had too many animals on our property. One of the trustees told him that since we were MAEAP verified and following their guidelines, we were more of a farm than any other farm in our area. I'm sure that without being part of MAEAP, the township would have been investigating everything they though they should."
- Linda Watson-Call