MAEAP Verifies 51 Farms in September

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:

  • Konos Inc. – Vande Bunte Eggs of Otsego as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Flock Ewe Farm of Herron as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Robinson’s Farm of Hillman as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Vincent Burdo Forest of Alden as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Craig Ratajczak Farm of Standish as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • West Vale Vu Dairy Farm of Nashville as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Wayne Wackerle Farm of Pinconning as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Kuehl Farm of Coloma as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Boehmer Farms of Battle Creek as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Brandon Carr Farms of Battle Creek as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Don Erfourth Estate of Sault Ste. Marie as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Dale Devereaux Farm of Ovid as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • J.D. Miller Farms of Elsie as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Marsh Haven Farms of Davison as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Hives and Hooves Farm of Gladwin as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • The Naked Acre Farm, LLC of Beaverton as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Carrousel Farm of Buckley as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Villa Mari, LLC – Mari Vineyard & Winery of Traverse City as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Finish Line Farms, LLC of Wheeler as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Gulick Farms, LLC of Wheeler as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Gruden Farms of Perrinton as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Whitmore Cattle Co. of Ithaca as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Simpson Farms, LLC of Saranac as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Whispering Leaf Farm, LLC of Tawas City as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Neeper Farm of Lake as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Farm House Hay of Irons as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Skyline Camp and Retreat Center of Almont as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Daley Acres, LLC of Lum as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Howell Farm, LTD of North Branch as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Brengman Brothers Winery of Traverse City as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • E. G. A. Inc. of Blissfield as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Summit View Farm of Manistee as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Robert Rossman Woods of Winfield Township as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Elaine Rossman and Schultz Woods of Winfield Township as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Rossman Organic Farm of Lakeview as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Rossman Woods of Winfield Township  as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • KeiLin Farm of Davisburg as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Golden Stock Farms LLC of Mears as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Leahy Farms of LeRoy as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Burnosky Forest (Schwalm Farms) of Reed City as a verified farm is Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat System
  • Winkel Chestnut Farm of Coopersville as a verified farm in Cropping and Forest Wetlands, and Habitat Systems
  • Grandpa Tiny’s Farm of Frankenmuth as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Renzie Milarch Farm of Port Sanilac as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Stone Brothers Farms of Sandusky as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Joe Leland of Owosso as a verified farm in Farmstead, Cropping, and Livestock Systems
  • Ed Fahley Farm of Emmett as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Wronski Farm of Wales, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Jerry Jones Farms of Constantine as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems
  • Jason Haag Farm of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Lloyd and David Jedele, LLC of Saline as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Selter Farm of Ypsilanti as a verified farm in Livestock System

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 51 farms have contributed to the assurance of sustainable farming practices,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Michigan is leading the national agriculture community in effective stewardship practices with the voluntary, incentive-based MAEAP program. The continued success of the program demonstrates that environmental sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive.”

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 MAEAPverified 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.