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The honoring of Sawyer Nursery for MAEAP verification April 16, 2010. HUDSONVILLE, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Michigan State University (MSU) today applauded Sawyer Nursery for demonstrating environmental responsibility by joining the elite group of Michigan's greenhouses to become verified by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). "MAEAP is designed to be one of the most effective and feasible ways for producers to position their farms to safeguard both the environment and it's long term economic viability," said MDA's Chief Deputy Director Gordon Wenk. "By sharing technological information as well as monitoring and recording changes in the way producers manage problems, MAEAP helps farmers find solutions for potential pollution issues." Almost 800 Michigan farms are MAEAP verified. Joining this elite program is Sawyer Nursery, which completed the comprehensive Greenhouse*A*Syst risk assessment that pinpoints best practices in water, fertilizer, and pesticide use. Technical assistance was provided by Rob Stein, Ottawa Conservation District, in partnership with MSU Extension Educator Tom Dudek. Over 50 years ago, Sawyer Nursery began as a small producer of perennials and has grown into a leader in perennial horticulture, supplying finished container plants and other materials to most major box retailers throughout the Midwest, including Home Depot, K-Mart, Lowe's, Meijer, and Wal-Mart, as well as independent garden centers. The nursery continually strives to employ more methods of sustainability as the company grows. "Many of Sawyer's practices were done right originally. We fine-tuned them to complete MAEAP verification requirements. Our awareness increased about those environmental facets we don't think about all the time," said Sawyer Nursery General Manager Dan Vander Schuur. "Recent eco-friendly initiatives at Sawyer's include several water retention ponds used to recycle and reuse water, as well as using and re-using recycled, biodegradable plastic containers and tags. Pest management using predatory insects and organic chemicals for plant disease management has also been adopted." To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps, which include educational seminars, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan addressing potential environmental risks. MDA 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 three years and action steps must be followed. MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal objectives while best managing both time and resources. The program encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system - Livestock, Farmstead, and Cropping - examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. Verified greenhouses have met all requirements in both the Farmstead and Cropping Systems. The program is a collaborative effort of Michigan producers, MDA, Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, MSU, 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 toward verification. To date, approximately 7,500 farmers have attended educational programs. For more information, visit the MAEAP Web site at http://www.maeap.org or contact Jan Wilford, MDA Environmental Stewardship Division, at 517-241-4730. Fan us! http://facebook.com/MIDeptofAgriculture Follow us on Twitter @MichDeptofAg