Get Verified
Getting verified in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) shows your peers and neighbors that you’re committed to agricultural stewardship and protecting the environment. MAEAP has three programs that address different aspects of your farm - Farmstead, Cropping and Livestock. Each looks at different practices depending on what you grow, whether it’s corn, blueberries or hogs.
To get verified, you first attend a Phase 1 Educational Meeting to explain MAEAP and teach you about the process of getting verified. Visit the Events page to find a Phase 1 meeting in your area, or check out the Educational Sessions videos available for Phase 1 credit.
After attending the educational meeting, a farmer then works with his or her local Conservation District to do a farm-specific risk assessment. Each assessment looks at the farm and evaluates different aspects, especially areas that could use updating or improvement to minimize environmental risks and pollution. The farmer then works to correct any of these areas and make necessary improvements.
After this step, the farm is visited by a Verifier who ensures the farmer has implemented environmentally sound practices. After becoming MAEAP verified, a farm can display a MAEAP sign signifying that MAEAP partners recognize the farm is environmentally assured.
Get verified in:
- The Farmstead System, which applies to all farms and addresses environmental risks of the entire farmstead, from safe handling of fuels to the proper storage of pesticides.
- The Cropping System, which focuses on field-related environmental issues, such as irrigation and water use, soil conservation, and nutrient and pest management.
- The Livestock System, focuses on environmental issues related to livestock activities, including manure handling, storage and field application, as well as conservation practices to protect water and prevent soil erosion.