MAEAP Verifies 54 Farms in June

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 54 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:

  • Balmer Farms, LLC, of Mason, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Bardenhagen Berries, of Lake Leelanau, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Bardenhagen Farms, of Suttons Bay, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Bosserd Family Farm, of Marshall, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Brad Parker Farms, LLC, of Snover, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Bryan Schwab Farms, of Kawkawlin, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Casassa Farms, of St. Charles, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Clarence Chase Farm, of New Era, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Community Garden – Growing Community, of Eaton Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Countryside Seed Service, LLC, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Dennis Dean Farm, of Williamsburg, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Diamond T Farms, Inc., of Jeddo, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • DNR – Edmore State Game Area, of Edmore, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Flat River State Game Area, of Belding, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Grand River State Game Area, of Ionia, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Haymarsh State Game Area, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Langston State Game Area, of Langston, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Martiny Lake State Game Area, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Portland State Game Area, of Portland, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Saranac-Lowell State Game Area, of Saranac, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Stanton State Game Area, of Stanton, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Vestaburg State Game Area, of Montcalm, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Driscoll Blueberries, LLC, of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Earthscape Farms, LLC, of Hisperia, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Fabus Family Farms, of Ashley, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Forche Farms, Inc., of Blissfield, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Four D Farms,LLC, of Carson City, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Gemrich Cedar Creek Farm, of Delton, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Golden Fleece Farms, LLC, of Grass Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Golden Knob Farm Site 2, of Onsted, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Jef-Lyn Farms, of Blissfield, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Kauffman Farms, LLC – Simpson Road, of Mendon, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Kent Schriber Farm, of Caro, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Lumbardo’s Farm, LLC, of Mikado, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • M.S. Farms, of Caro, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Mark Hacker Farms, of Athens, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • McCallum’s Orchard and Cider Mill, LLC, of Jeddo, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • McNett Forest, of Hudson, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Millcrick Farm, of Harrisville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • MSU – Hancock Turf Center, of East Lansing, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • MSU – Swine Teaching & Research Facility, of Lansing, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • New Holland Blueberries, Corp., of Holland, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Ohana Gardens, LLC, of Highland Park, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Person Farms, LLC, of Camden, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Richard Oliver Farm, of Lachine, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Saginaw Valley State Unversity Greenhouse, of Saginaw, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
  • Schaeff Farms, of Saginaw, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Sweetland Dairy, of Ann Arbor, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Tabor Hill Winery, of Buchanan, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • The Perry Family Farm, of Clinton, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • The Whitelaw Benson Property, of Chelsea, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Vinke Orchards, Inc. (Grinwis Farm 2 sites), of Montague, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Wiles Farm, of Middleton, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Winde Ridge, LLC, of Fountain, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems

“Farmers across the state of Michigan understand how fortunate we are to be surrounded by fertile lands and abundant fresh water, 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.