"Farmers Helping Farmers to Protect Water Quality"

Purpose

To communicate benefits of conservation practices to the larger community
To assist in educating landowners about BMP’s (best management practices)
To promote more conservation practice implementation
To bring more farms to MAEAP (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) verification

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Cover Crops

Cover crops help to reduce erosion and increase fertility and water holding capacity of the soil. Cover crops can also help to manage the growth of weeds, disease and pests.

Filter Strips

Filter strips reduce erosion and increase water infiltration through the soil. This can help to reduce the amount of nutrients found in runoff that ultimately enters the Western Lake Erie Basin.