• The BIG Cleanup

• Pollution Prevention Strategy for Michigan Agriculture
A major new initiative to compehensively address environmental pollution on the farm has been unveiled.

• Conservation Practices
Land and resource management techniques to control soil erosion and prevent pollutants from reaching water bodies.

• Pollution Prevention Strategy for Michigan Agriculture
An initiative to comprehensively address environmental pollution on the farm. The strategy balances producers' right-to-farm with the need to protect Michigan's environment. It emphasizes proactive pollution prevention at all stages of agricultural production.

• Contributors
Contributors to the Pollution Prevention Strategy

• Memorandum of Endorsement
Memorandum of Endorsement of the Pollution Prevention Strategy for Michigan Agriculture As Amended October 29, 1997 and Agriculture Pollution Prevention Implementation Plan

• I. Introduction: The Charge
In 1996 a letter was issued requesting the development of an industry led, Pollution Prevention Strategy for Michigan Agriculture.

• II. Guidelines for Successful Implementation
Overall impact on both environmental quality (through pollution prevention) and agricultural financial viability must be emphasized. Program outcomes should be evaluated on these criteria.

• III. Five Key Components
The 1995 recommendations for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention emphasized four key components for an effective approach to address agricultural pollution prevention.

• IV. Right to Farm as the Main Vehicle for a New Strategy
The Michigan Right to Farm Act was identified as an excellent foundation from which to build an improved nonpoint source pollution prevention program.

• V. Recommendations Regarding Other Current Programs
Recommendations Regarding Other Current Programs

• VI. Incentives
Appropriate voluntary approaches and significant incentives must be identified to encourage producers to invest in appropriate pollution prevention practices, plans, or management systems.

• VII. Targeting
Given limited resources, achieving maximum agricultural pollution prevention will require setting priorities.

• VIII. Program Coordination
Increased coordination is the critical factor to maximize the impact of available resources and efforts involved in agricultural pollution prevention in Michigan.

• Agricultural Pollution Prevention Implementation Plan
Michigan agriculture has a long history of protecting natural resources.

• I. Building on Programs that Work
Michigan agriculture is a leader with a progressive attitude toward stewardship and a collective responsibility to the environment. Several existing programs addressing environmental issues have been widely accepted by the agricultural community.

• II. Coordinating Pollution Prevention Programs
Increased coordination is a critical factor in maximizing the impact of available resources and efforts involved in agricultural pollution prevention in Michigan.

• III. Maximizing Participation Through Incentives
Voluntary approaches and significant incentives must be identified to encourage producers to invest in appropriate pollution prevention practices, plans or management systems that emphasize economics.

• IV. Targeting Incentives: Priority Concerns, Areas, and Farms.
Promote educational pollution prevention programs to all producers in Michigan.

• V. Increasing Public Awareness
Existing delivery systems provide Michigan farmers technical information and support through a number of organizations.

• VI. Measures of Progress
It is frequently difficult to establish a direct cause and effect relationship between the implementation of agricultural pollution prevention activities and measures of improved environmental health.

• Right To Farm Act
The Michigan Right to Farm Act, P.A. 93, was enacted in 1981 to provide farmers with protection from nuisance lawsuits. This state statute authorizes the Michigan Commission of Agriculture to develop and adopt Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) for farms and farm operations in Michigan. These voluntary practices are based on available technology and scientific research to promote sound environmental stewardship and help maintain a farmer's right to farm.

• Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program Mission
Mission: To provide information and assessment tools for pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer users which help them identify risks to groundwater associated with their pesticide and nitrogen fertilizer use practices and to coordinate local, state, and federal resources to help individuals reduce those risks

• Underneath the Quiet -- MAEAP Helping Our Environment
Now and year round hundreds of farms are deeply involved with one of Michigan’s newest and more innovative initiatives--the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).