MAEAP Verifies 57 Farms in August | Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 57 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:

Beishlag Farms, of East Jordan, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Windermere Equestrian Center, of Clinton Township, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Windy Hill Farm, of Boyne City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Clay Ridge Farm, of Levering, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Sunset Valley Vineyard, LLC, of Alanson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Minis by the Creek, of Petoskey, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Aronson Farm, of Lowell, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
David Prielipp Farms, of Palmyra, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Dennis and Kristina Cassel Farm, of Portland, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Egypt Valley Hopyards, LLC, of Ada, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Frozen Creek Farms, LLP, of Belmont, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Tuckerman Farms, of Blissfield, as a verified farm in Cropping System
V & J Farms, LLC, of Deford, as a verified farm in Cropping System
DNR – Petersburg State Game Area, of Petersburg, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
DNR – Point Mouillee State Game Area, of Rockwood, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Fisheye Farms, LLC, of Detroit, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Greenfield Grazing, LLC, of Buchanan, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Pollard Farms, of Vulcan, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Riveridge Land Company, LLC – Fruit Ridge Farm, of Sparta, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Hayden’s Hillside, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Rolling Hills Farm, of Marcellus, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Steve Warner Farms, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Swetz Farms, of Pleasant, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Treasa’s Treasures, of Munising, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Benona Chestnuts Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
DNR – Cannonsburg State Game Area, of Belmont, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
DNR – Rogue River State Game Area and Extension Unit, of Kent City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Noble Organic Farm, LLC (Previously Adams Farm), of Saline, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Old Oak Farm, of Stockbridge, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Torka Family Farm, of Auburn, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harvest Village, LLC, of Le Roy, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Michael Stilwell Forest, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Tabone Vineyards, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Ben & Amber Byl Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Lynn Coville Farm (Formerly Coville Cattle), of Vicksburg, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
MSU – Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), of Hickory Corner, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Nyblad Orchard, of Kent City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Tiny Giant Farm, of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Superior Fruit and Nut, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Autumn Harvest Farm, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Blackbird Farms, LLC, of Coopersville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Morren Crops and Cattle, LLC, of Zeeland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Don Eickholt Farm, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Level Lawn Farm (D. Corey Farms, LLC), of Linden, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Notta Lotta Acres, of Flushing, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Four Legs Good, of Chatham, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Hale Family Farm, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Stoney Acres, Inc., of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Braid Farms – Thomas C. Braid Farm, of Durand, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Greg and Sue Mahoney Farm, of Charles, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Modreske Farms, of Wayland, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Nethaway Farms, of Ovid, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Bristle Farms, LLC, of Manchester, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Broadview Farms, of Ann Arbor, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Aaron Blaske Farms, LLC, of Dowagiac, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Charlevoix Moon Vineyard, LLC, of Charlevoix, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rosenblum-Beecher Farm, of Chelsea, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Forest, Wetlands, Habitat, and Livestock Systems

“Farmers across the state of Michigan understand how fortunate we are to be surrounded by fertile lands and abundant fresh water, and they are committed to protecting these amazing resources,” said MDARD Director Gary McDowell. “Participation in the program increases year after year, and it has been used as a model by many other states. By earning MAEAP verification and putting that sign out front, they are letting their neighbors know that they are excellent stewards of their land so that it can be sustainable for future generations.”

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups, and state and federal agencies. Michigan conservation districts house technicians that provide technical assistance to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 5,000 Michigan farmers attend educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process and over 5,000 verifications have taken place to date.

To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan addressing potential environmental risk. MDARD conducts an on‑farm inspection to verify program requirements related to applicable state and federal environmental regulations, Michigan Right to Farm guidelines, and adherence to an action plan. When completed, the producer receives a certificate of environmental assurance. To remain a MAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every five years and action steps must be followed.

MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. The program encompasses four systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, Cropping, and Forest, Wetlands and Habitat – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. By participating in all four systems, producers can comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks.

For more information, visit the MAEAP website at https://www.maeap.org or contact Joe Kelpinski, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at (517)284-5608.