MAEAP Verified 65 Farms in September

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 65 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers with complying 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:

  • Log Cabin Livestock, of Traunik, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Livestock Systems.
  • Rueger Farms, Inc., of Standish, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Schindler Farms, LLC, of Kawkawlin, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Rosselit Farm, of Niles, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Peace Field Acres, of Niles, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Kuebler Farms, of Charlevoix, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Logan Heritage Farm, of Goetzville, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Lazy K Ranch West, of Rudyard, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Jack Enderle Farms, of DeWitt, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • The Acres, of Ovid, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems.
  • The Licken Branch, of Vermontville, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Tirrell Farm, of Charlotte, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Micah’s Meadow, of Linden, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Red House Ranch, LLC, of Swartz Creek, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Isaiah Wunsch Farm, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Mark Crumbaugh Farm, of Ashley, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Bruce Blonde Farm, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • William Belson Farm, of Osseo, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Lennard Farms, of Reading, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Hudson Dairy, LLC, of Hudson, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Elkton Phosphorus Reduction Plot, of Elkton, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Rush Lake State Game Area, of Caseville, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Lansing Roots Farm, of Mason, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead System.
  • David-Matthews Farm, of Mason, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock System.
  • McCrumb Farm, of Portland, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Vernon Hill Farms, of Rosebush, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Zenz Farms, of Grass Lake, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Barker Creek Nursery & Landscaping, Inc., of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Nobile Hills Farm, LLC, of Ada, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Harbor Hill Fruit Farms, Harbor Hill, of Lake Leelanau, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Harbor Hill Fruit Farms, Aurora Cellars, of Lake Leelanau, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Shady Lane Partners, LLC, DBA Hennessey Harbor Vineyards, of Lake Leelanau, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Full Circle Organic Farm, LLC, of Howell, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Highbanks Centennial Farms, of Richmond, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Livestock Systems.
  • Esper Farms, of Lenox, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Kethe Farms, of Lenox, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Misty Acres, of Benzonia, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Dandy Farms, LLC, of Fountain, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.
  • Newberry Farm, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Good Stead Farm, of Hope, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Meyer Farms, of Carlton, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Chambers Farm, of Monroe, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Livestock, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems.
  • Stotz Farm, of Ida, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Livestock Systems.
  • Delmotte Farms, of Dundee, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • The Long 40, of Vestaburg, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.Piirto Farm, of Trout Creek, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Whetstone Creek Farms, of Evart, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Salinas Farms, of Marion, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems.
  • Study Farm, Site 2, of Gaylord, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Study Home Farm, of Gaylord, as a verified farm in the Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock System.
  • Gordon Farms, of Croswell, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Phillips Farm, of Marlette, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Dorman Farms, of Snover, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • Washbrun Farm (Site 1), of Elsie, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.
  • Washburn Farm (Site 2), of Elsie, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
  • Hinterman Farms, of Durand, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Shine’s Derry Farm, of Haslett, as a verified farm in the Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System.
  • VanAgen Sod Farm, Inc., of Bancroft, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Albaugh Farms, of Owosso, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
  • Garber Farm, of Owosso, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Clearwater Farms, Inc., of Caro, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • Mitch Davis Farm, of Reese, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
  • Pine Lane Berry Farms, LLC, of South Haven, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
  • The Frosty Apple, of Dexter, as a verified farm in the Cropping and Farmstead System.
  • Trinkle Farm, of Chelsea, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 65 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 more than 3,300 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 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 three 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 three 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 Joe Kelpinski, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at 517-284-5608.