News

Farmer input requested on Michigan’s voluntary environmental program

This is the last week for farmers to respond to a statewide survey on Michigan’s voluntary assurance program.

Scott Lonier was first verified with the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) in 2010 and is currently serving as the program’s incentives taskforce chairman. He tells Brownfield the survey is for all farmers to share their opinions on incentives and challenges with the program whether they’re verified or not.

“We’re trying to reach out other farmers, other producers—whether they’re livestock, fruits and vegetables, cash crop, forestry—whatever they are, to find out how much they really know about it, if they’re involved working with a tech, trying to get some ideas from them, what would they like, is it beneficial to you, do you see any benefit in it?”

The survey has been sent to farmer members of MAEAP partner organizations and community groups and is available online.

Surveys must be completed by April 24th and responses will be used to guide the future direction and incentives of the MAEAP program.

AUDIO: Interview with Scott Lonier