MAEAP Verifies 51 Farms in May 2018

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 51 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:

  • 118th South Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • 120th Avenue Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • 126th Street Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Bair Lane Farm, of Marcellus, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Brent’s Chestnut Acres, LLC, of Jackson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Covert Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Watervliet, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Crossroads Blueberry Farm, of West Olive, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dale Wawersik Farm, of Weidman, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Dan Brauer Farm, of Jones, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • E. Pat Carr Homestead, of Hessel, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System
  • Esmeralda’s Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Fresh Pick Farms, of Almont, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Guziak Farm, of Henderson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Heft Orchards, of Hopkins, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System
  • Herbruck’s Chickory, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Chickory, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Green Meadow Organic, of Saranac, as a verified farm in Cropping, and Farmstead, Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Hennery, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch – Main Farm, of Saranac, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Rector Road Farm – (Formerly Valley View), of Ionia, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Herbruck’s Stage Road, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Indigo Lavender Farms, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Interwater Farms, Inc., of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Interwater Farms, Inc. – Johnson, of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Interwater Farms, Inc. – Lalones, of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • J. Nelson Farms, of Hope, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Kalchik Farm, of Bellaire, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Ken Wawersik Farm, of Weidman, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Main Plant-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Mama Bean Farms – Green Touches Garden, of Almont, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Matthews Farm – Site 2, of Ray, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Mihills Farms, of Jones, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Nartker Farms, of Erie, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • O’Brien’s Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • R. Garges Farm, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • S.V.F. Inc., of Northport, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Send & Emeott – Erikson Farm, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Send & Emeott – Walter Farm, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Serenity Farms, LLC, of Schoolcraft, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Livestock Systems
  • Shanahan Farms, of Gregory, as a verified farm in Cropping and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • South Haven Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of South Haven, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Sprouting Grass-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Stony Acres Farm, of New Era, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Suseland Farm Percherons, of Vandalia, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Vermeersch Farms, LLC, of Central Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Vermeersch Farms, LLC – Erickson Road Farm, of Kewadin, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Vermeersch Farms, LLC – M-88 Farm, of Kewadin, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Wendzel Home Farm-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Bangor, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Wendzel Mud Acres-Blue Star Farms, Inc., of Covert, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • White Yarrow Farm, of Marcellus, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • William Barcia Farms, of Pinconning, as a verified farm in Cropping System

“These 51 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.