MAEAP Verifies 22 Farms in October

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 22 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:

  • Warren Hill Lavender of Beulah as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Peaceful Acres Farm of Rudyard as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Superior Angus – Storch Farm of Rapid River as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Superior Angus Farms of Rapid River as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Cowboy Logic, LLC – Overtime Acres of Chase as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • InnWildness Forest of Luther as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Kidd Timberlands of Bear Lake as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Jancek Farm of New Era as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Lake Effect Apiaries of Mears as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • GDW Farms, LLC – 120th Avenue Farm of West Olive as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • GDW Farms, LLC – Fillmore Turkey of West Olive as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • GDW Farms, LLC – Land of Turkey Turkey Farm of West Olive as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • GDW Farms, LLC – New Holland Turkey Farm of Holland as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • J & R Blueberry Farm of Holland as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Luurtsema Tree Farm of Hudsonville as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Sawyer Nursery of Hudsonville as a verified farm in Cropping(Greenhouse) and Farmstead(Greenhouse) Systems
  • Via Verde Farm of Byron Center as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Bautista Blueberry Farm of Grand Junction as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Gene Sahr Farm of Paw Paw as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Moss Funnel Farms of Bangor as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Shurmur Farms of Dexter as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Wayne Andersen Property of Ludington as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 22 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 4,000 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 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.

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 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.