Washtenaw County farmers, farmland owners and partners of agriculture are invited to a bus tour of MAEAP-verified (Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program) farms on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
The tour will depart at 9 a.m. sharp, from the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau, 5095 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor, and return to the Farm Bureau by 1 p.m.
There is no cost to participate, but seating is limited and registration is required.
Participants will visit the Zilke Vegetable Farm in Milan, and learn how the Zilkes’ have grown their farm into a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and farm market enterprise. The Zilkes’ grow a variety of vegetables and herbs and have been verified in the MAEAP Cropping and Farmstead Systems.
In addition, participants will visit the Don Laier (centennial) Farm, in Lima Township, to view conservation practices implemented to protect water resources. Also, Todd Bowman from Crystal Flash will discuss on-farm fuel storage requirements and options.
Laier operates a 130-acre farm with cash crops and livestock. He has been verified in the MAEAP Cropping, Farmstead and Livestock Systems.
Lunch will be included as part of the tour at no cost to attendees.
The Washtenaw County Farm Bureau in collaboration with the Washtenaw County Conservation District have been awarded a Conservation/Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Educational Grant to conduct the tour.
Farmers, farmland owners and partners of agriculture can register for the tour by contacting Nicole Booth, Washtenaw County Farm Bureau by phone: 734-429-1420; e-mail: nboothctyfb.com by Aug. 29.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is an innovative, proactive, and voluntary program that helps farms of all sizes and all commodities voluntarily prevent or minimize agricultural pollution risks. It helps farmers evaluate their entire operation and truly make sustainable management decisions balancing society’s needs, the environment, and economics.
