| Program Summary The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) 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, therefore the quality of drinking water. Purchases of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides support the program. |
| Agricultural producers who participate in the program can become environmentally assured through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). Environmental assurance indicated the farm is in conformance with state and federal environmental laws and guidelines, and that it is protecting Michigan's important natural resources for the use of future generations. |
Program Features
Environmental Risk Assessment
Farm*A*Syst
The Farmstead assessment system (Farm*A*Syst) is an
environmental risk assessment of management practices,
structures and site conditions at the farm headquarters. The
assessment helps producers identify and reduce risks to both
groundwater and surface water supplies. More than 15,000
Farm*A*Systs have been completed to help farmers with
environmentally sound management practices.
Crop*A*Syst
The cropping assessment system (Crop*A*Syst) helps
producers develop and implement a management plan to
prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water in
production fields, orchards and nurseries.
Environmental Risk Assessment
Farm*A*Syst
The Farmstead assessment system (Farm*A*Syst) is an
environmental risk assessment of management practices,
structures and site conditions at the farm headquarters. The
assessment helps producers identify and reduce risks to both
groundwater and surface water supplies. More than 15,000
Farm*A*Systs have been completed to help farmers with
environmentally sound management practices.
Crop*A*Syst
The cropping assessment system (Crop*A*Syst) helps
producers develop and implement a management plan to
prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water in
production fields, orchards and nurseries.
| Environmental Risk Assessments through the Michigan Environmental Stewardship Program are voluntary and confidential. For more information about MGSP, please contact Kyle Mead, Groundwater Technician for Van Buren and Allegan Counties. |
Other Services Offered By MGSP
Closing Abandoned Wells
Abandoned wells pose a health risk by acting as a
conduit for contaminated surface water to move
directly down to drinking water aquifers.
Environmental risk assessments and financial
assistance form the MGSP have resulted in the
closure of more than 7,000 unused / unusable wells.
Emergency Farm Planning
More than 2,700 emergency farm plans have been
developed for agricultural producers across the
state. These plans provide vital information for farm
workers and emergency service providers if an
emergency occurs. The plans also assist
producers with the important issue of agrichemical
and application equipment security.
Groundwater Quality Monitoring
This water testing is designed to evaluate pesticide
and nitrogen fertilizer contamination in Michigan's
groundwater. Samples are screened annually at no
charge to the well owners. Well samples are
screened for nitrates, nitrites and triazines.
Closing Abandoned Wells
Abandoned wells pose a health risk by acting as a
conduit for contaminated surface water to move
directly down to drinking water aquifers.
Environmental risk assessments and financial
assistance form the MGSP have resulted in the
closure of more than 7,000 unused / unusable wells.
Emergency Farm Planning
More than 2,700 emergency farm plans have been
developed for agricultural producers across the
state. These plans provide vital information for farm
workers and emergency service providers if an
emergency occurs. The plans also assist
producers with the important issue of agrichemical
and application equipment security.
Groundwater Quality Monitoring
This water testing is designed to evaluate pesticide
and nitrogen fertilizer contamination in Michigan's
groundwater. Samples are screened annually at no
charge to the well owners. Well samples are
screened for nitrates, nitrites and triazines.
| Related Links Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (Michigan Department of Agriculture) Michigan Agriculture Assurance Program |
| Groundwater- Everyone's Resource, Everyone's Responsibility. |
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| Groundwater Technician Kyle Mead demonstrated some features of an emergency spill kit. |
| This site and content are property of the Van Buren Conservation District. All Van Buren Conservation District programs and services are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. Van Buren Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. |