The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing 50 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. Among the farms in the Thumb area are; McNeil Farms LLC – Dickerson of Unionville, McNeil Farms, LLC – Vader of Unionville, B & B Brown Farms LLC of Sandusky, G & D Rich Farms Inc. of Deckerville, Squash Blossom Farm of Imlay City, Stone Oak Farm of Metamora, Stump Lane Farm of Metamora, Cooper Farm LLC of Marlette and Steve Findlay Farm LLC of Reese.
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.
MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives, while best managing both time and resources. A complete list of all 50 farms verified and the area they were verified in, can be found below.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program recognized:
Laman Farm, LLC, of Honor, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Stardust Hill Farm, of Lake, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
McNeil Farms, LLC – Dickerson, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
McNeil Farms, LLC – Vader, of Unionville, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Bee Wise Farms, LLC, of Newberry, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Buchan’s Blueberry Hill, LLC, of Traverse City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Northern Natives E.C. (Erosion Control), of Newberry, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Campobello Farm, of Maple City, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
JSQ MSQ, LLC, of Charlevoix, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
B & B Brown Farms, LLC, of Sandusky, as a verified farm in Cropping System
G & D Rich Farms, Inc., of Deckerville, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Bernath Farm, of Morenci, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Camp Northfolk, of MacFarland, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Don Drews Farm, of Charles, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Crooked Creek Vineyard & Orchard, of Levering, verified in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Maplewood Farmstead, of White Cloud, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Roossinck Orchards, Inc – Baseline Farm, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Roossinck Orchards, Inc – Home Farm, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Roossinck Orchards, Inc – North Ridge Crest Farm, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Roossinck Orchards, Inc – South Ridge Crest Farm, of Fremont, as a verified farm in Farmstead System
Sweeten Farm, LLC, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Hiawatha Sportsman’s Club, of Engadine, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Hickory Gables, Inc. Dairy, of Hickory Corners, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
North Gould City Tree Farm, of Gould City, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Regal Bison Company, LLC, of Freeport, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Squash Blossom Farm, of Imlay City, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Stone Oak Farm, of Metamora, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
MSU – Department of Forestry, Tree Research Center, of Lansing, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Visser Family Farms, LLC, of Zeeland, as a verified farm in Livestock System
Circle H Farm, of Eau Claire, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Joseph Rydwelski Farms, of Buchanan, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Stump Lane Farm, of Metamora, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Cooper Farm, LLC, of Marlette, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
South Maple Farm, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Taylor Hops, LLC, of Greenville, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Harrietta Hills Trout Farm, LLC, of Harrietta, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
John and Mary Arnott Farm, of Dafter, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Livingway Greenhouse, of Falmouth, as a verified farm in Cropping (Greenhouse) and Farmstead (Greenhouse) Systems
MacNaughton Farm, of Grand Ledge, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Northern Lavender, LLC, of Mesick, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Northwinds Forestry, of Pickford, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Back Acre Farm, of Rapid City, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Livestock Systems
Fitzner Farms, of Wolverine, as a verified farm in Cropping, Farmstead, and Livestock Systems
Pendergast Farms, LLC, of Empire, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Zmitko Farms, of Owosso, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Brad Love Farms, LLC, of Coldwater, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Windhill Orchards, of Benzonia, as a verified farm in Cropping and Farmstead Systems
Allen Oomen Farm, of Custer, as a verified farm in Cropping System
Cornell 80, of Cornell, as a verified farm in Forest, Wetlands, Habitat System
Steve Findlay Farm, LLC, of Reese, as a verified farm in Cropping System
“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.”
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.
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.
