MAEAP Verified 26 Farms in June

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 26 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:

  • Palumbo & Sons Blueberries, of South Haven, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Smith Turkey Farms, Inc., of Hamilton, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.
  • Wiggly Paw Farm, of Hastings, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Gray Farm, of Benzonia, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Freehling Farm, of Baroda, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Showcase Gardens, of Coldwater, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Glei’s, of Coldwater, as a verified farm in the Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems.
  • Wolf Family Farm, of Quincy, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Hover Farms, of Niles, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Shaltz Sheep Farm, of Boyne City, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems.
  • Delta Conservation District, of Cornell, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Delta Property, of Cornell, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Farmer Frank’s Fruit and Honey, of Flushing, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • MIFFS-Women in Agriculture Farm Development Center, of Grand Blanc, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Wendling Farm, of Montrose, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Sweeney Acre Farms, LLC, of Ubly, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • KLS Farm, LLC, of Pigeon, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Robinette Orchards, of Grand Rapids, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Tiny Tot Cattle Farm, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Marquette Property, of Arnold, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Larsen Farms, of Scottville, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Elmcrest Acres, LLC, of Daggett, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Michigan Woods, of Daggett, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Maki Forest, of Cornell, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Wolfsen Farm, of St. Helen, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Koepplinger’s Farm, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 26 farms have contributed to the assurance of sustainable farming practices,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Michigan is leading the national agriculture community in effective stewardship practices with the voluntary, incentive-based MAEAP program. The continued success of the program demonstrates that environmental sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive.”

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies.  More than 100 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 8,000 Michigan farmers attend educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process and over 2,500 farms have been verified 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 risks. 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 MAEAPverified 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 www.maeap.org, contact your local conservation district, or contact or contact Joe Kelpinski, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at (517)284-5608.