MAEAP Verifies 97 Farms | Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 97 farms for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with the Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by local Conservation Districts.

The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:

Amy Joe’s Acreage, of Gould City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Arting Farms, LLC, of Dundee, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Autumn Vista Dairy, of McBain, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Baleout Ranch, of Ravenna, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Bednarczk Farms, of Marlette, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Ben Grady Farms – Home Farm, of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Bonnell Farms, of Pittsford, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Brad Deering Farms, LLC, of Deford, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Brown Deer Forest, of Big Bay, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Camp Tosebo Association, of Manistee, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Cavanaugh’s Ireland Bells Dairy, of Leslie, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, andForest, Wetlands, Habitat, Livestock Systems
Charles Cullip Forest, of Ignace, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
City of Monroe, Michigan – Munson Park, of Monroe, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Clover Farms, of Bronson, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Crooked Creek Farm Dairy, of Romeo, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Crooked Row Tree Farm, of Jones, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Daniel Epple Farm, of Pleasant, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Dave Walsh Farms, Site 1, of Ubly, as a verified farm in Cropping System
David Cloud Trust, of Edwardsburg, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Derek Backus Farm, of Linwood, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Detroit Flight Path Farm, of Romulus, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
DNR – Dansville State Game Area, of Dansville, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Dutchman Tree Farms – Northern Pines Nursery, of Lake City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Faivor Fresh Produce, of Johns, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Farmhouse Vineyards, LLC, of Petoskey, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Fenske Forest, of Luther, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Fulton Farms, LC, of Oakley, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Gary Voogt Farms, of Marne, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, Forest, Wetlands, Habitat, and Livestock Systems
Gentner Family Farms, of Minden City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Gingrich Meadows Inc. – Site 2, of Le Roy, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Gingrich Meadows, Inc. – Site 1, of Le Roy, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Granderview Orchard and Vineyard, of Hudsonville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Grandview Acres, LLC, of Centreville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Greenhythe Farms, LLC, of Fennville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Harris Knudson Farms – Squires Farm, of Conklin, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Hinterland Farm and Kitchen, of Pullman, as a verified farm in Cropping andFarmstead Systems
Hoe and Mow Farm, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Jason Ottney Farm, of Eaton Rapids, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Jeff Montei Farm (Previously Ben Grady Farm), of Fairgrove, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Jeffrey Feinauer Farms, of Bay City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Jim Belcher Farm, of Tustin, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Jim Shull Farms, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
JMZ Farms, LLC, of Deford, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
John R. Williams Farm, of Hart, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
June Bug Acres, of Glennie, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Keinath Farms, of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Kruithoff Farms – 18 Mile Farm, of Kent City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
Kruithoff Farms – Conklin Farm, of Conklin, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Krupka Vineyards, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Lee Kent-Forest, of Chase, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Lucky 7 Dairy, LLC, of McBain, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Macon Ridge Cattle Farm, of Saline, as a verified farm in Cropping and Livestock Systems
McClain Farm, of Grayling, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Neighbor Lady Bee Farm, of Johns, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
New Bush Farms II, of Tecumseh, as a verified farm in Cropping System
NJ Fox and Sons, Inc.- AEBIG Apple, Inc., of New Era, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
NJ Fox and Sons, Inc.- Point Sable Fox Barn, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
NJ Fox and Sons, Inc.- The Bierwagon Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
NJ Fox and Sons, Inc.- The Reames Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
NJ Fox and Sons, Inc.- The Reames Farm, of Shelby, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
No Buck Lodge, of Rock, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Northwinds Forestry, of Pickford, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Paul Jefts – Colfax Township Forest, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Paul Jefts – Grant Township Forest, of Big Rapids, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Presque Isle Pines, of Millersburg, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Pure Mitten Hops, of Coopersville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Randy McKeon Farm, of Pinconning, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Razzberry Creek Farm, of Gladwin, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Rich D’Arcy Farms, of Kingston, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Rutten Farms, of Scotts, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Schuck Sportsman’s Sanctuary, of Le Roy, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Setzler Family Farms, of LaSalle, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve – West Prairie, of Brownstown Township, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Smokey Oak Farms, of Jackson, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Tamarack Tree Farm, of Cadillac, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Tapola Forest Lands, of Rock, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Ten Hands Farm, LLC, of Stanwood, as a verified farm in Cropping System
The Chadzichristos Farm, of Rock, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
The Menagerie, of Corunna, as a verified farm in Livestock System
The Woodlot – 4510 Stonemeadow, of Ann Arbor, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Them N Us Ranch, LLC, of Grayling, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Thomas Stover Farm, of Sears, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Forest, Wetlands, Habitat Systems
Timothy Michell Farm, of Marion, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Todd Taylor Farm, of Ottawa Lake, as a verified farm in Farmstead System

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

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