March 2 ,2023- Congratulations! Granor Farm LLC for earning the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award and State of MI Tribute at the Berrien County Conservation District Annual Meeting.
For more information contact Lisa Kuntz at 269-471-9111 x 3 or email lisa.kuntz@macd.org
Visit "Get Verified" on the MAEAP website at www.maeap.org
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
This is an innovative, proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. MAEAP teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and comply with state and federal environmental regulations. Farmers who successfully complete the phases of a MAEAP system are rewarded by becoming verified in that system.
MAEAP was developed by a coalition of agriculture producers, commodity groups, state and federal agencies, and conservation and environmental groups.
LOVELAND FARMS- MAEAP VERIFIED
Buchanan, Mich.- Jan 26, 2023, Loveland Farms achieved verification in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). MAEAP is a voluntary program aimed at helping producers protect the environment by implementing conservation practices.
To participate, Noel Farm worked together with Berrien County
Conservation District to identify steps to reduce pollution. Loveland Farms worked
at its own pace to implement conservation practices to alleviate those
potential environmental risks. Once they made changes, a MAEAP verifier made
sure that the operation was following the guidelines outlined in MAEAP’s
systems of recognition
"We are so excited to have this recognition as we strive as part of our mission to be environmental stewards. Being blessed with this wonderful property we felt this was the best step to ensure we were doing right by the land that we live on, to receive the verification let's us know we are holding ourselves to the highest standards and accountability while we grow." Said Alicia Barlow
MAEAP has four systems in which producers can become verified: Farmstead;
Cropping; Livestock; and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat. Loveland Farm is recognized for
stewardship practices in the Farmstead and Cropping systems, which looks at the following:
surface and groundwater
B. Cropping- field-based practices such as water use, soil conservation, and
nutrient management.
“Working with MAEAP has been collaborative with the help of Lisa, she was helpful in providing us with information that we needed and making the process run smoothly, we cannot thank her enough." Said Alicia Barlow.
Loveland Farm is a cut flower and fruit farm, operated by Tim and Alicia Barlow located in Buchanan, Michigan.
Watch for monthly updates and future workshops here!!!
Mountain Road Vineyard-
Reverified
Coloma, Mich.- March 8, 2023,
Mountain Road LLC achieved reverification in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).
MAEAP is a voluntary program aimed at helping producers protect the environment by implementing conservation practices.
Mountain Road Vineyard worked with Berrien
County Conservation District to identify necessary steps to implement
conservation practices on their 30 acres of Vineyard to alleviate those potential
environmental risks. Upon completion of the risk assessments and any necessary
changes, a MAEAP verifier made sure that the operation was following the
guidelines outlined in MAEAP’s systems of recognition
Mountain Road LLC is recognized for
stewardship practices in the Farmstead and Cropping risk assessments these systems look at the following:
A. Farmstead- operational practices on the entire farm focusing on protecting surface and groundwater
B. Cropping- field-based practices such as water use, soil conservation, and nutrient management.
Additional Farms Receiving Verification in FY 2023
Krauss Tree Farm-Buchanan, MI
Demaio Forest -Benton Harbor, MI
Carden Farms- Buchanan, MI
Parra Farms- Eau Claire, MI
Domaine Berrien- Berrien Springs,MI
Blue Jay Farms-Three Oaks, MI
Blooms N Bees- Berrien Springs, MI
Sunny Harvest Farms-Eau Claire, MI