The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program has verified 10 Cass County farms during the month of March for a combined total of 13 verifications.

The statewide MAEAP program is a voluntary and confidential program based off the state of Michigan’s Right to Farm Program. Upon participation in the program, farms work toward achieving verifications in four different systems: Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock, and forest-wetland-habitat. Each system takes an in-depth look and provides technical assistance in how farms are conducting specific practices relevant to their respective systems.

For example, the cropping system examines specific nutrient management practices by verifying that soil fertilizer programs are appropriate for corresponding soil tests. If a specific practice is not in conformance with MAEAP standards, upon request, technical assistance is provided to assist farmers in adjusting programs to meet the required standards.

Cass County has become an elite player in the state-wide MAEAP program, as farmers throughout the county have become increasingly energetic and excited about the program.

During the fiscal year of 2018, the Cass County Branch of MAEAP has verified 13 farms, for a combined total of 17 verifications, and is on pace to be well above the county average for the year.

Types of verified farms throughout the county have included small grain farms, specialty fruits and vegetables, seed corn, logging, hog finishers, sheep, and several other products.

For more information, contact Erez Brandvain, the Cass County MAEAP technician, at (269) 228-7084 or Erez.Brandvain@macd.org.

Although the program is confidential, below is a chart showing Cass County verifications throughout the current fiscal year by the following farmers who were happy to share their accomplishments with the public.

Farm/Farmer

Gerge Bucklen

Davis Farms

Davis Pork

Paul Burns

Shawn Brown

Gary Barnett

Dussel’s Farm Market

Jeff Mihills

Chris Rosselit

Susan Dussel

Camp Friedenswald

Robert Locke