MAEAP Verifies 37 Farms in April 2018

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 37 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 Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Bowerman Blueberries, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Brown Brothers Farms, LLC, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Burkwalt Farms, of Albion, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Charlie Briolat Farms, Inc., of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Cherry Bay Orchards, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Cherry Bay Orchards – Donner Farm, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Cherry View Farms, LLC, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Corey Guza Family Farm, of Caro, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Coulters Tree Farm, of Attica, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Countryside Greenhouse, of Allendale, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse)n and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Dan Steckly Farm, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • East of Eden Vineyard, Inc., of Beulah, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Engelhard Family Farms, LLC, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Evans Brothers Fruit Company, of Frankfort, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Fitz & Son Farms, LLC, of Ithaca, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Geraldine Koth Farm, of Filion, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Guza Farms, LLC, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
  • Harry Norconk Farm, of Honor, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • J Bar J Ranch, Inc., of Clare, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Joseph Nagy Farm, of Flint, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • King Street Farm (Previously Dairy, no longer has livestock), of Vassar, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands,

Habitat Systems

  • Landis Lands, LLC, of Homer, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Mehalski Tree Farm, of Otsego, as a verified farm in Farmstead, Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Mohr Farms, of Adrian, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
  • Natural Cycles Farm, LLC, of Allegan, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Poulsen Farms, of Trufant, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Sam Aultman Farms, of Coleman, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Schmandt Farms, of Vassar, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Seth Briolat Farm, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Stoney Ridge Farm, of Armada, as a verified farm in Cropping Systems
  • Sweet’s Creek Crossings, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • The May Farm, Inc., of Frankfort, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Walnut Grove Farm, of Filion, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Warren Blueberries, of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Woods Farm, of Rapid City, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Zwerk and Sons Farms, of Vassar, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems

“These 37 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 MAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every five years and action steps must be followed.

In March 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.