Randy Ewert of Marcellus recently became Farmstead verified in the in the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

MAEAP is an innovative proactive program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntary prevent or minimize agriculture pollution risks. It teaches farmers how to identify and prevent environmental risks and to comply with state and federal environmental regulations.

It is a collaborative effort of producers, MDA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, Michigan State University, conservation groups, and other state and federal agencies. More than 150 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process towards verification.  To date there are more than 1,967 farms that have been verified.

To become MAEAP verified farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting an on-farm risk assessment, and passing a third party on- farm verification.

Farms can be verified in three systems: livestock, farmstead, and cropping.

Ewert’s farm is a small, diversified farm, focusing on vegetable production for local markets.

When asked if it was a beneficial program for them to go through, Ewert said, “Having an outside entity observe and critique gave me added insight and incentive to pursue our environmental commitments.” It is things like this that make them stand out as good stewards and leaders in the Ag industry.

Abbey Dorr, Groundwater Technician for the Cass County Conservation District, worked with Ewert to complete their risk assessment and through the verification process, which provided them with the yard sign denoting their achievement.

For more information about MAEAP or how to get involved you can check out the MAEAP website at www.maeap.org or contact Abbey at the Cass County Conservation District at 269-445-8634.