MAEAP Verifies 55 Farms in June | Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 55 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:

Addy’s Sunflowers, of Coloma, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Alpine Stars Alpaca Ranch, of Gaylord, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Armada Acres, of Armada, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill, of Armada, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Boss Dairy Farm, Inc., of Charlevoix, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
Carte Farms, Inc. – Barryton Unit, of Barryton, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Carte Farms, Inc. – Remus North Unit, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Carte Farms, Inc. – Remus South Unit, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Carte Farms, Inc. – 5 Mile Farm North, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Carte Farms, Inc. – 5 Mile Farm South, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Chapin Family Farms, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Cherry Hill Farms, of Ypsilanti, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Collins Farm, of Croswell, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.
Coveyou Scenic Farms, LLC, of Petoskey, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Crooked Creek Farm Dairy, of Romeo, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.
Dittmer Farm, of Scottville, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping System
Excaliber Horse Center, of Howell, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems
Felton Farms, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Floating Bridge Farm, of Three Rivers, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Hugs 4 Horses, of Scotts, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Grace Acres, of Alpena, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.
Grandview Orchards, of Watervliet, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Granger Farms, of Charlotte, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Helwig Farm, of Coloma, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
High Lean Pork Farm 1, Blanchard, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
High Lean Pork Farm 2, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
High Lean Pork Farm 3, of Barryton, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
High Lean Pork Farm 4, of Remus, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Farmstead Systems.
Hughes Farm, of Springport, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Hugs 4 Horses, of Scotts, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Jerry Vandemark Farm, of Deford, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
Kimerer Farms, of Britton, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Letherer Farms, of Hudson, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Maggie Mae Farms, of Saginaw, as a verified farm in the Livestock System.
Mann Farms, of Fennville, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Marsh Farms, of Quincy, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
May Farms, of Sparta, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Pat Feldpausch Farms, of Fowler, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Paul Rood Orchards, of Covert, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Pickles Farms, of Sand Creek, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Roedger Bros. Farm, of Covert, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Roedger Bros. Farm – Blue J Farm, of South Haven, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Schaper Farms, of Pigeon, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.
Schipinski Farms, Filion, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.
Schwark Farms, of Ovid, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Secord Farm, of Monroe, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
Soil Friends, L.L.C., of Galesburg, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Soule Farm, of Croswell, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Starr Farm, of Olivet, as a verified farm in the Cropping System.
The Martin Family Farm, of Armada, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Thomet Farms, of Lowell, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum, of Gagetown, as a verified farm in the Farmstead System.
Valley View Farm of Bangor, of Bangor, as a verified farm in the Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Vision of Victory Ranch, of Johannesburg, as a verified farm in the Livestock, Farmstead and Cropping Systems.
Ziehm Greenhouse & Produce, of Romeo, as a verified farm in the Livestock and Cropping Systems.

“By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, these 55 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 2,500 farms have been verified 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 three 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 three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, and Cropping – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. By participating in all three 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.

Media Contact: Heather Throne

517-284-5725 or throneh@michigan.gov