Sustainable Agriculture in the
Eastern Upper Peninsula
Founded in 1949 the Chippewa Conservation District has grown to include all of Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac Counties, encompassing the entire Eastern Upper Peninsula. During that time the brunt of our work has dealt with protecting our natural resources by working in partnership with our local farmers.
We continue that tradition today as the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District by working with our local farmers to implement and practice sustainable agriculture techniques and meet the needs of our local resource concerns.
As farmers needs and priorities change so do ours so we can meet their needs while protecting the environment. We do this by hosting programs and implementing practices using those programs. We also provide technical assistance, education, and consulting services to guide farmers in the right direction. Some of those programs are below:
MAEAP aims to help farmers (and forest property owners) undertake voluntary management changes that will reduce the threat of groundwater contamination and improve the quality of our local watersheds. MAEAP is voluntary, confidential, and FREE!
NRCS offers technical and financial assistance to landowners through a variety of programs funded through the Farm Bill. CLMCD is happy to provide guidance and assistance navigating these programs as we share their resources and are co-located in their office.
FSA is a customer service driven agency dedicated to achieving an economically and environmentally sound future for American Agriculture. FSA offers a large number of programs geared towards helping the average farmer. CLMCD shares a building with our local FSA office and is happy to guide and assist farmers with their FSA business.
MSUE offers state wide programming for farmers with local offices in Chippewa County. Although financial assistance isn't generally offered through MSUE many other services are available for all farmers regardless of years of experience. CLMCD is a proud partner with MSUE in Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac counties and we provide program support when ever possible.
The U.P. Food Exchange (UPFE) is a Food Hub led by the Marquette Food Co-op in conjunction with organizations across the Upper Peninsula. The organization coordinates and supports local food activities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. UPFE serves as a resource portal for farmers, businesses, and individuals looking to connect with and actively participate in their local food system. CLMCD is happy to partner with UPFE and provide support for farmers wishing to enter the local food system.
Michigan Farm Bureau is the state's largest general farm organization. That means they represent Michigan's agricultural diversity, from crops and livestock, to fruits and vegetables, greenhouses, forestry and more. Farm Bureau also represents farms of all sizes — small, medium and large — and varying styles of production, including conventional and organic and both indoor and outdoor animal management. CLMCD partners with our local Farm Bureau's on are variety of issues and topics including our annual Education on the Farm event.
