Farmers have long been regarded as the original stewards of the land because a farm’s livelihood directly depends on the health and vitality of the soil and water resources.
The voluntary Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program helps farmers protect important natural resources. With AEM, farmers can track their environmental stewardship and contribute to a positive image of agriculture in their communities. Using AEM, farmers can identify and address environmental concerns. AEM helps direct valuable local, state and federal resources to the farms that need them. The farmer is always the final decision-maker in cooperation with members of the local AEM team. This helps ensure that farm business objectives are met while also achieving local, state and federal environmental and water quality goals. The primary goal of AEM is to protect and enhance the environment while supporting agriculture in New York State. To participate, please complete the Tier I Inventory Sheet. |