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Michigan Agriculture has a long history of protecting its natural resources. Michigan farmers recognize that the quality of the soil, water and air are directly affected by their production practices. In today's rapidly changing agricultural industry, integration and expansion seem to be the trend. Farmers and agricultural industry leaders recognize that, as operations expand, the potentials for pollution grow stronger.

In order to check the growing pollution potential, the agricultural industry along with government agencies formed a task force called the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Created in April 1998, the MAEAP was developed as a result of livestock producers' desire to be pro-active concerning environmental regulation. A diverse group of industry leaders, producers and governmental agencies came together to form the MAEAP steering committee and set forth the MAEAP’s mission to develop and promote a recognized, voluntary, pro-active environmental assurance program. The mission targets the agricultural industry and ensures that producers are engaging in cost-effective pollution prevention practices that are in compliance with environmental regulations.

MAEAP is promoting the creation of nutrient management plans. Correct storage and utilization of animal waste, regardless of industry economics or policy debates, in conjunction with correct rates for the application of the nutrients to the soil is important. One of the issues that the MAEAP is working on is the USDA/EPA Joint Strategy on Animal Feeding Operations (AFO). This regulation will require livestock producers to create and implement a nutrient management plan.

The creation of a "farm stewardship plan" is another way that MAEAP plans to help farmers comply with regulations. This plan would assist agricultural producers in assessing the potential environmental risk on their farming operations. The MAEAP will give producers the tools and information needed to properly address current farm management practices and their environmental impact, as well as to stay in compliance with environmental regulations.