MAEAP Verifies 74 Farms in March 2018

MAEAP Verifies 74 Farms in March 2018 | Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 74 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:

  • Airport View Turkeys, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Barnett Farms, Inc., of Vandalia, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Ben Byrant Farm, of Shepherd, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Benny Beachy Hog Farm, of Bay Port, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Black Gold Farms, of Sturgis, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Brick Chapel Hops – Andrew Bratton Farm, of Three Rivers, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Briggs Farm, of Scottville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Brown Farms, of Wheeler, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Camp Friedenswald, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Chris Crosby Farm, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Christy Purebred Herefords, of Union City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Dains Orchards, of Ludington, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Daniel W. Styles Forest, of Harrison, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Davis Pork, LLC – Brownsville Finisher Site, of Vandalia, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Davis Pork, LLC – Teasdale Finishing Site, of Jones, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Dhooghe Farm (Formerly Swoish Farms, LLC – Site 1), of North Branch, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • DNR – Fulton State Game Area, of Fulton, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Gourdneck State Game Area, of Portage, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • DNR – Rose Lake State Game Area, of East Lansing, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Domagalski Farm, of Columbus, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dunneback Fruit Farm, of Grand Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Dussel’s Farm Market & Greenhouses, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Cropping(Greenhouse) and Farmstead(Greenhouse) Systems
  • Eickholt Seed Farm, of Chesaning, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Fenn Valley Vineyards & Winery, of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Ferrier Genetics, of Montgomery, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Friske Orchards, of Charlevoix, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Friske Orchards Farm Market, of Ellsworth, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Glei’s Incorporated, of Hillsdale, as a verified farm in Cropping(Greenhouse), Farmstead(Greenhouse), and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
  • Great Lakes Bentgrass, Inc., of Willis, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Humm Farms, LLC, of Breckenridge, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Humm Farms, LLC – A. G., of Breckenridge, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • J. Engelsma Orchard, Inc., of Walker, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead Systems
  • Jacob Clark Farms, of Eagle, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • James Schulz Farm, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Jim Higbee Farm, of Benton Harbor, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • John Schulz Farm, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Jon Ott Farm, of Fowlerville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Kistlercrest Farms, of Ludington, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Lapeer County Education & Technology Center, of Attica, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Lewis Farms, of North Street, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
  • Locke Farm, of Cassopolis, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Marshall and Carol Ann Lewis Farms, of North Street, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Mick Klug Farms, of St. Joseph, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Mihills Farms, of Jones, as a verified farm in Livestock System
  • Monton Farms, of Pentwater, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Organic Blueberries, LLC, of West Olive, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Peckham, Inc., of Lansing, as a verified farm in Cropping(Field Crops), Cropping(Greenhouse), and Farmstead(Greenhouse) Systems
  • Penzien Farm, of Attica, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Pichla Farms, of Bad Axe, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Pine Ridge Farms, LLC, of Custer, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Powers Family Farm, of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Redding Farm, of Conklin, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Rennhack Orchards, LLC, of Hart, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Rosselit Farm, of Niles, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Sauble River Tree Farm, of Freesoil, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Scott Miller Family Farms, of Elsie, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Scott Miller Family Farms – Walter’s Farm, of Elsie, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Smalley Farms, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Snider Farms, LLC, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Solomon Forest, of Tustin, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • Steenblik Dairy Inc., of Pewamo, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Stonycroft Farms, of Lapeer, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Stoutenburg Farms, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
  • Stoutenburg Farms LLC – Fetting Road Farm, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • Stoutenburg Farms LLC, Banner Road Farm, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
  • The Estate, of Fountain, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • The Hall Farm, of Riverdale, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
  • The XIV Ranch, of Marcellus, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Theobald Farms, Inc., of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Thornton Agriculture, of Reed City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • Trails End Farm, of Beaverton, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
  • VanDerZanden Farms, of Pentwater, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
  • Vineyard at St. Joseph, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
  • Wheatland View Farms (Formerly G & W Farms), of Pittsford, as a verified farm in Cropping System

“These 74 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.