AGRICULTUREMICHIGAN GROUNDWATER STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program is designed to help individuals protect
their groundwater resources through education, technical and financial assistance. The
program is funded through the Michigan Department of Agriculture by registration and
sales-based fees on pesticides and nitrogen fertilizers. Specialty (household) products
generate about 40% of the program's revenues while agricultural, right-of-way, turfgrass,
and other wide area pesticide uses account for most of the remaining 60%.
To date, MDA has provided over 4 million in support of the local groundwater
stewardship programs. These local programs have committed to doing 6,000 farmstead
evaluations (Farm*A*Syst), and 1,500 well closures, along with cost-share for other best
management practices.
In addition, the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program coordinates local, state, and
federal resources to provide a locally driven"one-stop shopping" approach to
groundwater protection and selecting cost-share priorities by the formation of Groundwater
Stewardship Teams. Agencies such as Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Township Officials, County Commissioners, MSU
Extension, The Michigan Department of Public Health all provide technical and/or other
assistance to promote the goals of the program. Area producers are also encouraged to
become members of their local Groundwater Stewardship Team to provide feedback concerning
their groundwater concerns and effective ways to implement best management practices.
Priorities set by the Groundwater Stewardship Teams provide direction for the statewide
program. Contact your local Conservation District for more information about your
Groundwater Stewardship Team and/or stay tuned to this web site for updated information
concerning the Van Buren/Allegan Conservation Districts program.
GROUNDWATER STEWARDSHIP-COST-SHARES FOR VAN BUREN AND ALLEGAN CONSERVATION
DISTRICTS
- The Conservation District will be taking applications for cost-share on the following items beginning October 1, 1999. All farmers in Van Buren or Allegan county are eligible cost-share after completing a non-regulatory, confidential Farm*A*Syst. For more information or an application please contact Josh Appleby in Van Buren at 616-657-4030 or Allegan at 616-673-8965
Practice |
Support Level |
Bulk Nitrogen Containment |
75% up to $3000 |
Mix Load Pad Permanent |
75% up to $1500 |
Irrigation Scheduling |
50% up to $75 |
Air Gap System |
50% up to $100 |
Pesticide Application Controller |
50% up to $1000 |
Anti-Backflow Device(chemigation) |
50% up to $250 |
Direct feed tank/closed system |
75% up to $750 |
Pesticide Storage Cabinets |
50% up to $500 |
Locking storage tank valves |
50% up to $200 |
Stop Cock Anti-Backflow for hoses |
100% up to $7.50 |
Nurse Tanks |
75% up to $1500 |
Spill Kits |
75% up to $75 |
Manure Analysis |
50% up to $12.50 |
Pesticide Container Rinse Nozzle |
50% up to $10 |
Emergency Tubes |
100% up to $10 |
Abandoned Well Decommission |
90% up to $500 |
Cover Crops |
50% up to $5 |
