Farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin, which includes farms along the River Raisin watershed, could get help with water conservation through the Farmers taking Action to Protect Water Quality in Western Lake Erie Basin grant project, recently funded through the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation. The Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) has received $480,000 over three years to increase farmer adoption of conservation practices to protect water quality in the Erie Basin and strengthen farmer leadership to encourage neighbor action. MACD will be working with the River Raisin Watershed Council (RRWC), the Lenawee Conservation District and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) as project partners.

“This project targets the development of outreach tools, the expansion of Farmer-Led Conservation groups; and will also provide funds for farmers to distribute to improve water quality within the River Raisin Watershed,” said Lori Phalen, MACD Executive Director. “We are pleased to be working with such outstanding partners to foster continued farmer-led progress within the watershed.”

RRWC Executive Director Stephen May is presenting the MACD as a grassroots effort to educate and implement meaningful agricultural practices. “RRWC is excited to continue a program that has brought attention to our efforts to partner with the local conservation district and the agricultural community through local Farmer-Led Conservation Groups and help tell their story of successes and conservation practices that reduce their impact on soil and nutrient losses in the Western Lake Erie Basin,” May said.

The River Raisin is part of the Western Lake Erie Basin which encompasses nearly 6 million acres of land, as well as the open waters of Maumee Bay–the region’s gateway to Lake Erie and one of the most biologically diverse, productive and economically important areas of the Great Lakes system.

The Michigan Association of Conservation Districts is a 501(c)3 organization that represents the interests of Michigan Conservation Districts and works to strengthen Districts through leadership, information and representation at the state level. Michigan’s 77 Conservation Districts are the local providers of natural resource management services that help our citizens conserve their lands and our environment for a cleaner, healthier, economically stronger Michigan.