MAEAP Verifies 44 Farms in June 2018

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 44 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:

  • Beach Grass Nursery, Charlevoix Conservation District, of Boyne City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Beechwood Farms, of Rose City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System
  • Blashill Farms, of Croswell, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Clare Limerick and Produce Ranch, of Jackson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Clear Water Meat Farm Market, of Eau Claire, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Cold Creek Farmz – Home Farm, of Tawas City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Columbia-Home Farm, of Mason, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Dancing Meadows Homestead, LLC, of Cottrellville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • Diamond Lake Orchard, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Double L Farms, of Cadillac, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dutchman Tree Farms, LLC, of Manton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Edible Flint Demonstration Garden, of Flint, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Fairway Natural Farms, of Mio, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Five Pillars Farm, LLC, of Eau Claire, as a verified farm in Cropping andFarmstead Systems
  • Friends Farm – Friends Ministry, of Lake City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Gaskill Family Farm, of Milan, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Glen Oaks Community College, Glen Oaks Farm, of Sturgis, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Guindon Farms, of Cornell, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Hang Over Hops, of Lake Ann, as a verified farm in Cropping andFarmstead Systems
  • IHM Sisters – St. Mary Organic Farm, of Monroe, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System
  • Infinity Micro Farm, LLC, of Falmouth, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Jefts Farms, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Jeremy Enser Farm, of Saginaw, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • John Steinbach Farm, of Cadillac, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • Kerwin Percherons, LLC, of Schoolcraft, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Kuhn Farm, of Boyne City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • Lawrason Farm, of Petoskey, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Lay Farms & Greenhouses, LLC, of Otisville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Leaman’s Green Applebarn, of Freeland, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Lil Lavender Acres, LLC, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Lovely’s Greenhouses, of Kalamazoo, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Lutchka Angus & Farm Market, of Grass Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • New Day Gardens, of Flushing, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Nimtz Farm, of Eau Claire, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Northern Lights Farms, of Kewadin, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Ottawa Area Intermediate School District – Careerline Tech Center, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse), Farmstead (Greenhouse), and Livestock Systems
  • Ray Begley Farms, of Union, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Robert Thelen, of Portland, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • Sahloff Farms, of Ottawa Lake, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sixteen Sprigs Lavender Farm, of Lansing, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Suburban Farms, Inc., of Muir, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Superior Central Schools The Hoop House, of Eben Junction, as a verified farm in Cropping and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • The Rex Dobson Ruby Ellen Farm, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Wardius Wild Hundred, of Springport, as a verified farm in Cropping andFarmstead Systems

“These 44 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 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.