Nutrients used in agricultural production come from chemical fertilizers and natural sources such as manure, legumes and biosolids (sewage sludge).  All nutrients, whether synthetic or naturally occurring, can become mixed with surface water or groundwater by natural processes such as runoff and leaching.  Nitrate contamination of groundwater and phosphorus contamination of surface water can be problems in Michigan.  Crop*A*Syst will assess your current nutrient management practices and identify alternative management practices that, when implemented, will reduce nutrient losses to the environment.

Virtually all crops produced in Michigan may be threatened by serious pest problems-- weeds, insects and disease-producing organisms.  Producers are encouraged to adopt pest management practices that achieve the desired commodity quality and yield while minimizing any adverse effects on non-target organisms, humans, and soil and water resources.  Crop*A*Syst will assess your current pest management practices and identify alternative management practices that, when implemented, will reduce negative impacts to the environment.

Crop*A*Syst is designed to coordinate the pollution prevention efforts of the Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP) and the Cropping System of the  Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) .  Crop*A*Syst focuses on management practice in the field, whereas Farm*A*Syst focuses on activities at the farm headquarters, such as agricultural chemical storage, mixing and loading; water well construction and management, and other activities.

Producers who complete the Crop*A*Syst assessment will be able to determine what management and recordkeeping changes (if any) will be needed for their cropping system to be environmentally assured through MAEAP.  Once a producer develops and implements a plan to address the risks indicated by the Crop*A*Syst assessment, he/she can contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to request Cropping System verification. An MDA inspector will schedule a site visit to complete the verification process.  P.A. 451, Part 82, ensures the confidentiality of the producer information you provide to the MDA for system verification.  Any information connected with the development, implementation or verification of a conservation plan or conservation practice is confidential.

As the owner of a MAEAP-verified cropping system, you will be eligible for various incentives and can enjoy "good-faith-effort" environmental liability protection, if an agricultural pollution emergency ever occurs in your fields.

Similar incentives are available for producers who have environmentally assured their Livestock and Farmstead Systems.  Contact your local  Conservation District ,  MSU Extension or  NRCS representative  for a list of currently available incentives and information on how to get started.