Cooperator Agreement Groundwater Stewardship MAEAP Master Naturalist Program Workshops

Emmet County MSU Extension Little Traverse Conservancy Master Gardeners NRCS Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Our mission as stewards of the Environment is to improve the quality of life for residents of Emmet County, by protecting and conserving our natural resources, promoting sound sustainable agriculture practices, and providing educational opportunities for the community.

·	2011 Annual Report
·	2010 Annual Report
·	2009 Annual Report
·	2008 Annual Report

·	Wildlife Habitat Publications
·	Backyard Conservation
·	National Timber Tax
·	Forest & Tree Health Publications
·	Managing Michigan's Wildlife: A Landowner's Guide
·	Nest Structures, Feeders & Blinds
·	All About Birds

Friends

• Audrey Bauer
• Joyce Cather
• Terry Clayton
• Roxane Cook
• John Day
• Joel Donaldson
• Fran Gano
• Lawrence Goethals
• Stephen Hume
• Henry Lenick
• Susan Mallory
• Bob Rossman
• Patricia West

Donors
• Cydney Steeb
• Mike Tiedeck

Patron
• Pat Duffy
• Dee Irwin
• Russ LaBeau
• Marilynn Smith

If you are interested in supporting the District with a tax-deductible donation, please download and print the form, complete and send with payment to the District. Your donations are tax deductible under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Make a Donation

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)

MAEAP is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and comply with state and federal environmental regulations. An agricultural producer who is verified in MAEAP can also be assured that they are effectively following all current Right to Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs).

In MAEAP there are three systems that a farm may be verified in. The Farmstead System looks at the physical buildings and storage areas of the farm operation. The Cropping System deals with the crops that the farm is producing including; orchards, greenhouses, Christmas trees, nurseries, fruits and vegetables. Finally, there is the Livestock System which looks at manure nutrients generated on the farm and how they are applied. An agricultural producer may get verified in one or all of the systems that apply.

This comprehensive, voluntary, proactive program is designed to reduce farmers' legal and environmental risks through a three-phase process. (1) Farmers must attend MAEAP educational meetings at least once every three years. (2) They must complete the Farm-Specific risk assessment. (3) MAEAP staff must perform an on-farm verification which ensures the farmer has implemented environmentally sound practices. Farmers who successfully complete the three phases of a MAEAP system are rewarded by becoming verified in that system. They can then display the MAEAP sign that shows that MAEAP partners recognize that the farm is environmentally assured.

If you would like to become MAEAP certified or just want more information, call Chris Anderson, Groundwater Technician at the Charlevoix Conservation District at (231)582-6193 or 582-7341.

Michael and Betty Kerzka own the first farm in Emmet County to have their farm operation verified in one of the MAEAP systems. This shows a commitment to being good stewards of the land.

Site by AlphaGeek Web Design