MAEAP verified 49 farms in March

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 49 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:

  • Schindler Farms, LLC, of Kawkawlin, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Mark Hacker Farms, of Athens, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Kelsey Lake Farm, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Whittaker Farm, of Wolverine, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Wildlife, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems.
  • Jorae Farm, of St. Johns, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Crumbaugh Legacy, Inc., of St. Louis, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Shady Lawn Farms, of Bannister, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Willow Creek Farms (Site 1), of Ashley, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Willow Creek Farms (Site 2), of Ashley, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Person Farms, LLC, of Camden, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • W & W White Farms, of Hudson, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Livestock Systems.
  • Richmond Brothers Farms, LLC, of Bay Port, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • T3 Farms, LLC, of Ruth, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Wil-Le Farms, of Bad Axe, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • ATE Farms, LLC—Oplinger Farm, of Weidman, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Dancing Turtle Farm, of Schoolcraft, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Ed Cagney Farm, of Scotts, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • J & S Farms, of Scotts, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Ken’s Greenhouses, Inc., of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in the Farmstead (Greenhouse) and Cropping (Greenhouse) Systems.
  • Riverview Launch Greenhouse, of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in the Farmstead (Greenhouse) and Cropping (Greenhouse) Systems.
  • Tom’s Greenhouses, Inc., of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in the Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems.
  • Country Road Vineyard, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Matt Swoish Farm, of North Branch, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems.
  • Bakerlad Farm, of Clayton, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • BrightView Acres, of Adrian, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • E. G. A. Inc., of Blissfield, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Goetz Farm, of Adrian, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Six Penny Acres, of Adrian, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Gregory’s Asparagus Farm, of Rodney, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • LeVar Farms, of Midland, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Myers Farm, of Midland, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Paul Harnica Farm, of Dundee, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Livestock Systems.
  • R & W Peterson Farm, LLC, of Edmore, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Indian Fields, Inc., of Saginaw, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Jeramie Ziola Farm, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Spartan Acres, of Freeland, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Weiss Centennial Farm, of Frankenmuth, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Flynn Township Nature Center, of Brown City, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Russell Hay Farm, of Palms, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Wadsworth Farms, Inc., of Sandusky, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Leonard Ash Farm, of Owosso, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • William Baker Farm, of Lennon, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Berville Farms, of Capac, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Keith’s Construction, of Memphis, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Hubbard Farms, of Three Rivers, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Kauffman Farms, LLC, of Mendon, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Zimmer Farms, Inc., of Unionville, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Ellis Farms, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Detroit Ento, of Detroit, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 49 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 5,000 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 aMAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every three years and action steps must be followed.

In March of 2011, Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 122 and House Bill 4212, now Public Acts 1 and 2 of 2011, to codify the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program into law.

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