MAEAP Verifies 165 Farms in February, March, and April | Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 165 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:

Alaga Farms, of Decatur, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Arendsen Farms, LLC, of Hamilton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
B & C Gordon Farms, Inc., of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Baber’s Berries, of Covert, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Berry Lucky Farm, of Bridgman, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Blue Tail Hops, of Evart, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Bo Z Angus, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Boge Farms, of Shepherd, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Brad Lange Farms, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Brookside Farm, LLC, of Dowagiac, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Cade Klein Farm and Seed Sales, LLC, of Marcellus, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Cedar Grove Farm, of Hersey, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Clay Maxwell Farm, of Beaverton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Cole Riverview Farms, Inc. – Site 1, of Bancroft, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Crooked Vine Vineyard & Winery, of Alanson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
D.A. Hartley Farms, LLC, of Hudson, as a verified farm in Livestock System
Dale Kundinger Farm, of Owendale, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
David Davidson Farms, of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping System
David Iffland & Son Farm, of Blissfield, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
David Kroupa Farms, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping andFarmstead Systems
Delmer and Carol Cilley Farm, of Dundee, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Dennis Ackerman Farms, LLC, of Reese, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
DeRuiter Farms, Inc., of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Donald Johnson Farms, of Camden, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Egly Land & Cattle Co, of Paw Paw, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Engler Dairy Farm, Inc., of Mt. Pleasant, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Forraht Farms – Home Farm, of Berrien Springs, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Forraht Farms – The Fish Farm, of Berrien Springs, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Forraht Farms – The Shafer Farm, LLC, of Baroda, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Foster Farms, Inc., of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Gary Higgins Farms, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Gentner-Bischer Farms, of Minden City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Gerstenberger Farms, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Gloria Miller Farm, of DeWitt, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Gold Coast Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Green Family Farm, of Dowagiac, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Grekowicz Farms, Inc., of Harbor Beach, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Griner Farms, of Jones, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Hafner Farms, LLC, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Hannan Farms, of Watervliet, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Harris Blueberries, LLC – 109th Street Farm, of Pullman, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – 49th Street Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Harris Blueberries, LLC – 50th Street Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – 58th Street Farm, of Pullman, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Austin Farm, of Bloomingdale, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Clear Lake Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Home Farm, of Bloomingdale, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Matt’s Farm, of Bloomingdale, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Muck Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Peck Farm, of Bloomingdale, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Harris Blueberries, LLC – Swan Creek Farm, of Pullman, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Hickey Farms, LLC, of Vermontville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Hilltop Farms, of Hersey, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Parraghi Farms, of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Theisen, Inc., of Memphis, as a verified farm in Cropping (Field Crops and Veg.), Cropping (Greenhouse), Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
Jacob Holland Farms, of Weston, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
James-Way Acres, of Palo, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Jay Ferguson Farms, of Brown City, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Jeff Sandborn Farm, of Portland, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Jeff Selter Farm, of Willis, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Jem-lot Dairy, of Westphalia, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
John Schudel Farm, of Jasper, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
J-Shinn Farm, of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Jubilee Blueberry Farms, LLC, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
K & K Dairy Farms, LLC, of Westphalia, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock Systems
Kantola Quality Farms, LLC, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock Systems
Karg Farms, of Harbor Beach, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Karl Schenk Farm, of Ann Arbor, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Keith and Linda Blonde Farms, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Farmstead, Livestock Systems
Kevin Bever Farms, of Hillsdale, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
KLS Farm, LLC, of Pigeon, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
L & E Robinson Farms, LLC, of Kent City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Lake Michigan Berry, LLC – 106th Avenue Farm, of Grand Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Lake Michigan Berry, LLC – Beaty Farm, of South Haven, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Lake Michigan Berry, LLC – Fleming Farm, of South Haven, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Lake Michigan Berry, LLC – Trogdon Farm, of South Haven, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Lake Michigan Berry, LLC – Woods Farm (Previously Matthew & Creela Hamlin Farm), of Bangor, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Lavender Valley Farm, of Delton, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
LaVoy Farms, of Temperance, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
Lievens Brothers Farms, Inc., of Petersburg, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Lone Tree Farms, LLC, of Belding, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock Systems
Johnston Farms, LLC, of Peck, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
M.B.M. Blueberry Farms, LLC, of South Haven, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Maedel Farms, of Applegate, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Mark Calkins Farm, of Mt. Pleasant, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Mark DeZeeuw Farm, Inc., of Marion, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Markley Farm, of Byron, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Matthes Farms, LLC – Site 2, of Ida, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Maxwell Seed Farms, of Hope, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Metz Seed Farms, of Ida, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Mike Milligan Farms, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Mike Opificius Farm, of Yale, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Mike Timmers Farm, of Buchanan, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Miller Poultry – Stateline Farm, of Bronson, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Milligan Farms, LLC, of Cass City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Monroe County Community College – MCCC Farm, of Monroe, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Morris Farm, of New Boston, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
MSU – Plant Pathology Farm (Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences), of Lansing, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
MSU – Poultry Research & Training Facility, of Lansing, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
MSU – Trevor Nichols Research Center, of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Naplin Farms, of North Street, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Nash Greenhouse – Site 1, of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
Ned Bever Farms, of Reading, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Omena Cut Flowers, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Oshtemo Township – Drake Farmstead Park, of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Pahl’s County Store, of Buckley, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Person Farms, LLC, of Camden, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Peter Maxwell Farm, of Hope, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Pheonix Farms, LLC, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Phillips Orchard and Cider Mill, of St. Johns, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Pier Road Produce, of Coloma, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Pierstorff Farm, of Howell, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Pike Farms, LLC – The Shop, of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Plainsong Farm, LLC, of Rockford, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Precision Pork, LLC – Cronk Road, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Precision Pork, LLC – McLain Road, of Litchfield, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Pure Michigan Maple Syrup, of Dowagiac, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
R & J Bush Farms, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rasch Family Orchards, LLC – Home Farm, of Grand Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rasch Family Orchards, LLC – Kober Farm, of Grand Rapids, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
RC Mills Farms, LLC, of Deerfield, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Red Wing Springs, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Rick Seidler Farms, of Kingston, as a verified farm in Cropping, and Farmstead Systems
Rob Manigold Farms, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Robert Bush Farms, of New Era, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Robert Vacek’s Farm, of Carleton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rocky Ridge Farm, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rocky Top Farms, of Ellsworth, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Rocky Top Farms – Preserve Site, of Ellsworth, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Ronald Stadler Farms, of Monroe, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Rustic Roots Farm, LLC, of Dexter, as a verified farm in Farmstead, Forest, Wetlands, Habitat, and Livestock Systems
S & I Inc., of Elkton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
S+N Farms, Inc., of Vassar, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Scharer Farms, LLC, of Adrian, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
Schlaud Farms, LLC, of North Branch, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Schwaderer Family Cabin, LLC, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Schwallier’s Country Basket, LLC, of Sparta, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Scott Sommerfield Farm, of Munger, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Shooks Farms Company, LLC, of Central Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Sid and Jill Whitaker Farm, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
South Osseo Baxter Farms, LLC, of Osseo, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Split Rail Farm of Hickory Corners, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
State Line Farms, of Morenci, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Stone Cottage Gardens, of Gladwin, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Storehalder Farm, of Waldren, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Swier Family Farms, of Remus, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Tanton Family Farms, Inc., of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Ten Hands Vineyard, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Thompson Farms, of Maybee, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Tim Rice Farms, of Kinde, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Top of the Hill Farm, of Ludington, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Tuckers Farm, of Temperance, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Twixwood Nursery, of Benton Harbor, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
Vader Farms, Inc., of Akron, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Vic Rogers Farm, of Benton Harbro, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Vinke’s Farms, LLC, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Wagner Limousine Farm, of Beaverton, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Wayne Somers Farm, of Henderson, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Weber Beef Farms, LLC, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
West Acres, of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
West Farms, Inc., of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Westrate Greenhouse, Inc., of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
What It Do Farm, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
William & Nancy Sodt Farm, of Manchester, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Wingford Farms, of Clyde, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Zacharda Farms II, LLC (Formerly Terramark Farms), of Ovid, as a verified farm in Cropping 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, 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 5,000 verifications 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.