Cropping

The MAEAP Cropping System focuses on field-related environmental issues, such as irrigation and water use, soil conservation, and nutrient and pest management. The Cropping System is applicable to all crops grown in Michigan, including field crops and vegetables, fruit orchards, greenhouses crops and ornamental trees.

Each Crop*A*Syst tool includes a series of risk questions to assess effective crop management practices and ground- and surface water protection resources. Crop*A*Syst helps develop and implement a plan to prevent water resource contamination while maintaining economic crop production. Plans conform to applicable Michigan Right-to-Farm guidelines and comply with applicable state and federal environmental regulations.

Crop*A*Syst is coordinated with resources provided by the Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP). Your local Water Technician can help you complete the risk assessment and provide information about other educational, technical and financial assistance.

Verification

Once a plan to address the risks identified in the Crop*A*Syst assessment has been developed, and immediate risks of groundwater and surface water contamination have been implemented, farmers can contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to request Cropping System verification (517.373.9797 or ). An MDA MAEAP verifier will visit the farm to verify that the Crop*A*Syst plan has been implemented and to ensure that the farmer is addressing all applicable environmental risks.

Once a farm is "verified," a farmer can purchase a MAEAP farm or office sign and the farm is eligible for MAEAP sign rebates, cost-share incentives, tax credits, low-cost lending and reduced liability insurance premiums from participating companies.

In order to maintain MAEAP verification a farmer must attend a MAEAP educational session and request a site visit from MDA at least every three years.

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