Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTAP)

The Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) delivers environmental and educational outcomes in partnership with local conservation districts through the Regenerative Agriculture Program (RAP) and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

Regenerative Agriculture Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) developed the Regenerative Agriculture Program (RAP) to build a more resilient agricultural sector by helping farmers adopt practices that boost soil health, increase profitability, and promote resiliency. 

In this program, regenerative agriculture is defined as an approach to land management driven by the goal of improving soil health. By adopting regenerative agricultural practices, farmers and landowners can be profitable while restoring soil health, safeguarding our natural resources, and ensuring that their farms can be passed on to future generations.

 

MDARD’s Regenerative Agriculture core principles include: 

    • Learning and understanding the context of a farm operation 
    • Maintaining living roots year-round 
    • Keeping Soil Covered
    • Maximizing diversity 
    • Minimizing soil disturbance 
    • Integrating Livestock and increasing biodiversity 

Managing your operation using regenerative practices may deliver: 

    • Reduced Input Costs
    • Higher-valued products 
    • Better work life balance 
    • Improved animal and plant health 
    • Healthier soil with balanced nutrient availability and water management 

Rather than a rigid set of rules, these principles are a flexible framework that empower farmers to improve economic and environmental outcomes through methods that suit their unique goals.  Our CTAP technician can support you with the following: 

Soil Health Assessment (SHA)

    • Each farm will receive three Soil Health Assessments per field. The first two assessments will be selected by the farmers in two distinct areas of the field. The third assessment will be conducted in a fallow area, such as a fence row. 
    • What to expect from a SHA.

Soil Health Sampling 

    • In addition to in-field Soil Health Assessments, MDARD offers free Soil Health Sampling analyzed by Cornell University’s Soil Health Lab. Results include objective soil data and detailed reports that highlight opportunities to improve soil function. 

Soil Health Management Plan 

  • Upon the completion of a Soil Health Assessment and Soil Health Sampling, results are used to create a personalized Soil Health Management Plan  to improve a farm’s soil health. 

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive, and confidential program that helps farms of all sizes and commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. As a non-regulatory program, landowners are in full control of their participation and can choose their own level of involvement.

 

You can earn:

  • Recognition as a top steward in the community
  • Regulatory protections
  • Preferred consideration for technical assistance and cost share
  • An enduring sense of accomplishment and pride

We promise:

  • The program is 100% confidential, guaranteed by state law
  • We will always treat you and your business with respect
  • We will help you with the paperwork and any red tape
  • We will help you leave a legacy for your children and generations after that

MAEAP Recognition is:

  • Achievable. Farms have earned more than 5000 verifications across the state
  • Something to be proud of and to showcase to your community

HOW TO GET VERIFIED

MAEAP is for all types and sizes of farms and all commodities – including nursery, greenhouse, fruit, and forestry operations. MAEAP offers verification in four different systems: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock, and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat. To become verified, producers work with the Ottawa Conservation District to complete the program in three steps:

  1. Evaluate: Invite the Ottawa County CTAP Coordinator to tour your farm. They will explain the program and recommend practical steps you can take to meet program standards and your own stewardship goals.
  2. Implement: Do the work at your own pace. Our CTAP Coordinator is here to help you every step of the way and can direct you to cost share and expert help, if you want.
  3. Recognition: Once the work is complete, a verifier from MDARD will visit your farm to ensure the recommended practices are in place and address erosion and runoff risks on your land. When the work is done, we will give you a sign to place on your farm and send you a certificate signed by the Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Request your free, confidential farm visit today by contacting Ximena at ximena.figueroa@macd.org or call 616-613-1367.

MAEAP Cost Share Program

The Ottawa Conservation District is offering producers the opportunity to apply for cost share on management practices or farmstead improvements to help offset the cost of specific environmental risk reduction practices. This program is intended for those participants working toward MAEAP goals on their farm. Find more information and the application here.

Cultivating Resilience Winter Conference

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Meet your CTAP Coordinator!

 Ximena Figueroa started as our Conservation Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) Technician in March 2026. Ximena (He-men-ah) is a Holland local and a Hope College grad. After studying biology, she began working on local Ottawa County farms and later in berry crop entomology research. She loves chatting about ag and catching butterflies in the summer, and is excited to assist farmers with MAEAP and regenerative agriculture efforts.

Want to learn about MAEAP or RAP? Contact Ximena at ximena.figueroa@macd.org or call 616-613-1367.