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Project overview

The Michigan Climate Smart Farm Project (MCSFP) is coordinated by Washtenaw County Conservation District with funding from the USDA's Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities grant program.

The goal is to develop a climate smart farm verification (CSFV) program for the state, based on the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). This initial 5 year (2023-2028) effort is intended to assist small/diversified farms in Washtenaw, Monroe, Wayne, and Lenawee Counties implement climate smart practices. This pilot project in southeastern Michigan will inform the development of a statewide program in future years.

Farmers interested in participating in the CSFV pilot will be eligible for cost-share payments for climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices implemented with the goal of attaining CSFV. Verified farms will be able to utilize the newly developed CSF branding package and logo in order to market their commodities as Climate Smart Farm Verified.

A final report on the CSFV system and findings will be presented to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) with the goal of becoming part of the MAEAP program or a stand-alone program.

Project timeline

• Hire MCSFP Specialist
• Establish advisory committees (Discovery, Marketing, Cost-Share)
• Identify 12 farming systems for evaluation
• Collect baseline data and create standards for greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration potential for each system
• Develop standards for Climate Smart Farm verification (CSFV)
• Develop brand and marketing for Climate Smart Farm products
• Recruit farmers into 3 year pilot CSFV program, review applications for cost share
• Hire and train 2 CSF conservation technicians
• Execute program developed in Phase 1 and refine continuously
• Compile results from Phase 1 & 2
• Deliver findings and recommendations to MDARD and MAEAP Steering Committee

What is climate smart agriculture?

Adaptation

Enhance the capacity of agricultural systems and communities to adapt to changing climatic conditions while ensuring sustainable food production, livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience.

Mitigation

Reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions within the industry through efficient use of resources, increased soil health, enhanced carbon sequestration.

Productivity

Increase efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural systems with improved crop varieties, better agronomic practices, and enhanced management techniques in order to maximize outputs per unit of inputs.