Berrien County Conservation District

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:

1. 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.

“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