Task
3: Agricultural Participation
This project intends to maximize farmer participation in progressive conservation planning, and to eliminate discharge of pollutants to the waters of the state through best management practice (BMP) implementation and water quality education. Through efforts separate from this Targeted Watershed Grant, the objective is to have 180 farmers (both crop and livestock) within the Kalamazoo River Watershed participating through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) Progressive Planning approach by 2008. Trading is one of the mechanisms being pursued to support farmer participation in TMDLs.
Farmer participation will be increased through a variety of initiatives, such as:
- partnering with municipalities to analyze water samples
- sponsoring awards for farmers who complete progressive planning steps to eliminate pollutant discharge to surface water,
- providing additional financial incentives for BMP implementation through water quality trading, Conservation Innovation Grants offered in the Farm Bill, Clean Michigan Initiative opportunities, partnering opportunities in Targeted Watershed grants, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program inclusion, and other applicable efforts,
- collaborative efforts, such as development of a water quality monitoring module for farmers to increase awareness of water quality concerns in the watershed.
The project will fund installation of voluntary conservation practices (BMPs). Candidates must be able to demonstrate a 25% cost share. Technical support will come through Conservation Districts that will receive project funding for Technical Service Providers. Subsequent efforts will stem from farmer participation to integrate producer efforts into the local trading program endeavors.
This section of the project includes the following subtasks:
a) Develop a model agricultural trading framework based on the concept of a credit bank.
b) Implement the trading framework.
c) Integrate NPS research into trading tools.
d) Identify financial mechanisms for local agencies.
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- MAEAP - Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
MAEAP is a comprehensive and voluntary program for Michigan farmers that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and comply with state and federal environmental regulations. Farmers who successfully complete the three phases of a MAEAP system are rewarded by becoming verified in that system.
