MAEAP Verifies 38 Farms January 2020

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 38 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with the Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:

  • 12 Corners Vineyards, of Benton Harbor, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Blandford Nature Center Farm, of Grand Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Blashill Farms, of Croswell, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Brian Pawlowski Farm, of Filion, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Burns Family Farm, LLC (Formerly FFF, L.L.C.), of Reese, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Cattle Creek Beef Farms, LLC, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Cherry Creek Forestry, LLC, of Remus, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Dittmer Farm, of Scottville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dover Farm, LLC, of Flushing, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat and Farmstead Stystems
  • Garry McKeen Forest, of Mears, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Glenn and Traci Westrick Farm, of Clair, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Hecht Brothers, LLC, of Vassar, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Homegrown Farm, Field & Forest, LLC, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Kutchey & Son’s, LLC – 26 Mile Greenhouse, of Macomb, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Kutchey & Son’s, LLC – 30 Mile, of Washington, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Lee Farms, of Laingsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Lehmans Orchard, LLC, of Niles, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Lound and Lound, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Michigan Bee Co., of Kent City, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Miller’s Medley, LLC, of Almont, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Nick Lauwers Farm, of Brockway, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Pfander Farm, of Homer, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Pine Ridge Farm, of Homer, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Prairie Grain, LLC, of Charles, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Revolution Farms, of Caledonia, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Schipinski Farms, of Filion, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Shiawassee Valley Farms (Formerly Vyskocil Farm), of New Lothrup, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Snow Avenue Greenhouse, of Lowell, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Stein’s Orchard Hill Farm, of Evart, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Ted Wessel Farm, of Columbus, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Tower Hill Farm, LLC, of Sodus, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Tuck Away Acres, of New Era, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Twin Lakes Club – 640, of Branch, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Twin Lakes Club – The 80, of Branch, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Wadsworth Farms, Inc., of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Wayne (Jr.) Wackerle Farms, of Pinconning, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Wessel Bros. & Son, LLC, of Columbus, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Willow Farm (Site 2), of Homer, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems

“Farmers across the state of Michigan understand how fortunate we are to be surrounded by fertile lands and abundant freshwater, 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, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups, and state and federal agencies.  Michigan conservation districts house technicians that provide technical assistance 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 have taken place 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.