Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program
Program Summary
The
Michigan Groundwater Stewardship (MGSP or GSP for short) provides educational,
technical, and financial
assistance to agricultural producers and residents to identify and reduce groundwater contamination risks. The program encourages individuals to take voluntary, proactive steps to protect Michigan's water quality and, by extension, our biggest drinking water source.
The program is locally operated through a Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) grant to cover both Ottawa and Kent counties through the Conservation Districts for farm clients.
The Groundwater Stewardship Program is supported by purchases of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides through a legislated "groundwater fee" on each product purchased at the point of sale. More than three million dollars are annually distributed state wide to fund the competitive grants at the local level.
Local groundwater stewardship teams set local groundwater protection priorities based on the communities the grant serves. Contact Rob Stein if you are interested in participating in local team meetings held approximately once a quarter:
Rob Stein, Groundwater Stewardship/MAEAP Technician
Cell (616) 402-0314
Fax (616) 842-2820
rob.stein@mi.nacdnet.com
Environmental Verification: MAEAP & GSP
Agricultural producers (a.k.a. farmers and growers) who participate in the Groundwater
Stewardship Program can become environmentally assured through the Michigan
Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) - pronounced "meep." Environmental assurance indicates the farm is in conformance with state and federal environmental laws and guidelines and that the farm is protecting Michigan's important natural resources for the use of future generations. Agricultural operations can be verified in any combination of three applicable systems: Farmstead, Cropping and Livestock. MAEAP verification is for all types and sizes of farms and all comodities - including nurseries, greenhouses, and fruit growers!
Through the Groundwater Stewardship Program local farmers and growers can prepare for MAEAP verification in both the Farmstead System and the Cropping System, although some assistance in the Livestock System can also be provided as well.
Assess Your Environmental Risk!
The Groundwater Stewardship Program uses three basic tools to assess environmental risks on farms:The Farmstead Assessment System (Farm*A*Syst) looks at management practices, structures and site conditions at the farm headquarters and helps producers identify and reduce risks to both groundwater and surface water supplies. Completion of a Farm*A*Syst with a local technician is done on-farm at the convenience of the producer in a confidential and voluntary manner. Farmers can earn 2 - 4 RUP credits towards pesticide license recertification and can prepare for MAEAP Farmstead Verification in the process.
The Cropping Assessment System (Crop*A*Syst) helps producers develop and implement a management plan to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water resources in production fields, orchards and nurseries. The process includes a voluntary, confidential review of management practices and records of pesticide, fertilizer, water use, and conservation practices. Like Farm*A*Syst, the Crop*A*Syst is also completed at the farm with the local groundwater technician. Farmers can earn 2 - 4 RUP credits towards pesticide license recertification and can prepare for MAEAP Cropping System Verification in the process.
The Greenhouse Assessment System (Greenhouse*A*Syst) is a tool specifically designed for the way greenhouse operations work, comprised of both the Farm*A*Syst and Crop*A*Syst rolled into one streamlined process to address both the headquarters and growing facilities that are often housed together in a greenhouse setting. Completing the Greenhouse*A*Syst will simultaneously prepare growers for MAEAP verification in both the Farmstead System and Cropping System. As with the other tools, the Greenhouse*A*Syst can earn a grower 2 - 4 RUP credits towards their pesticide license recertification.
Contact Rob Stein to find out more or to schedule your personalized on-farm visit:
Rob Stein, Groundwater Stewardship/MAEAP Technician
Cell (616) 402-0314
Fax (616) 842-2820
rob.stein@mi.nacdnet.com