MAEAP Verifies 49 Farms in July

For Immediate Release                                                 Media Contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725 or

August 20, 2018                                                                                       sielskij@michigan.gov

MAEAP Verifies Farms in July 2018

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 49 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:

  •  2 Lads Winery, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  •  Adam Messing Farm, of Carsonville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Barson’s Greenhouses, of Westland, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Blueberry Heath II, of Fenville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Butlerbilt Farms, of Climax, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Cherry Ke, Inc. Acme Site, of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Coleman’s Farm and Corn Maze, of Saline, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Conrad Farms Incorporated, of Ludington, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dale and Karen Dailey, of DeWitt, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Dale Gentner Farm, of Minden City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Darling Farms, of Willis, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dwight Fisher Farm, of Blissfield, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Dyer Family Organic Farm, LLC, of Ann Arbor, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Eden Hill Vines, of Beulah, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Evan Gentner Farm, of Minden City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Fertile Valley Seed Farm, LLC, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Flying Otter Vineyard, of Adrian, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Gould Farm, of Clare, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Harter Family Farms, LLC, of Rudyard, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Hiawatha Farms, of Engadine, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Horizon Plants, LLC, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Jim & Tim Graham Farms (Previously Woodland Acres), of St. Johns, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • J-Land Farm, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Joseph Nagy Farm, of Flint, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Konos Inc. – Vande Bunte Eggs – KP1 Site, of Martin, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Konos Inc. – Vande Bunte Eggs – KP2.3 Site, of Martin, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Konos Inc. – Vande Bunte Eggs – Martin, of Martin, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Lance Gentner Farm, of Minden City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Larry and Patricia Miller, of Clarksville, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Mukwa Ridge Farm, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Ruggles Beef Farms, LLC, of Kingston, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Schoenherr Farms, LLC, of Ray, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Sietsema Farms – Coral Turkey Farm, of Coral, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Crockery Creek Turkey Farm Site 1, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Crockery Creek Turkey Farm Site 2, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Crockery Creek Turkey Farm Site 3, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Crockery Creek Turkey Farm Site 4, of Holton, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Crockery Creek Turkey Farm Site 5, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Foremost Turkey Farm, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Grand Valley Turkey Farm, of Allendale, as a verified farm in Farmstead abd Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – H and H Turkey Farms, of Allendale, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Morley Turkey Farms, of Morely, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Sietsema Farms – Sietsema Turkey Farms, of Allendale, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  •  Ski Country Farm, of Sault Ste. Marie, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  •  Sting Organic Farms, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  •  The Hopsyard, LLC, of Holly, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  •  Thelen Farms, of St. Johns, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  •  Tom Adler Farms, of Ida, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  •  Tuttle Goat Farm, of Clio, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems

“These 49 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.