The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 36 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:
- Bebow Dairy Farm, LLC, of St. Louis, as a verified farm in Livestock System
- Buechler Farms, LLC, of Auburn, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Cold Creek Farmz – Camp 55, of Tawas City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
- D & D Farms, Inc., of Ruth, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- David Sting Farm (Previously Sting Family Organics, LLC), of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Frank Farms, Inc., of Kawkawlin, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Hillside Homestead, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock Systems
- Jeff Storey Farms, of Blanchard, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead and Livestock Systems
- K & K Kern Farms, LLC, of Bridgeport, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
- Kalisek Farms, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Ked Miller Farm, LLC, of Bad Axe, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Ken and Kelly Rappleyea Farm, of Munger, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
- Larry Roggenbuck Farm, of Harbor Beach, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Lewis Farms, of North Street, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Malburg Malac, LLC, of Hart, as a verified farm in Livestock System
- Marshall and Carol Ann Lewis Farms, of North Street, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Needlefast Evergreens, of Ludington, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Northwind Farm, of Kewadin, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Old Hickory Beefalo Farm, of Fife Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
- PopAl Lane Farm, of Leroy, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
- Poplar Lawn Farm, of Baroda, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
- R & B Farms, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Schlautman Farm, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
- Seyfred Family Farm, of Galien, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
- Somers Brothers, of Henderson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Soule Farms, of Lynn, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Sprague Farms, of Durand, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Steenbergh Farms, of Melvin, as a verified farm in Cropping System
- Thomas & Janice Sting Farm, of Sebewaing, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Tom Stafford Farm, of Ossineke, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
- Triple R Farms, of Snover, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Tyler Martin Farm, of Barryton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- VanAgtmael and Sons, Inc, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- VanAgtmael Orchards, Inc, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Wehrman Farm, of Reese, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
- Westview Orchards & Winery, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
“These 36 farms represent the agricultural community’s commitment to a sustainable environment,” said MDARD Director Gordon Wenk. “By taking the steps necessary to become MAEAP verified, farmers continue to be excellent stewards of their land. The success of the program demonstrates how the agricultural community comes together to protect our land and water quality.”
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.