Benzie Conservation District
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Benzie Conservation District

​To preserve and enhance
the natural resources
of Benzie County

American Chestnuts Today!

1/29/2019

 
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Mark your calendars for Tuesday, Feb, 5th for this interesting discussion about "American Chestnuts Today" by Dr. Carmen Medina Mora. 

The evening presentation will run from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, and is held at the Grand Traverse Conservation District, 1450 Cass Road, Traverse City. 

Join Dr. Medina Mora, from Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, as we discuss the return of the American Chestnut.

​Contact Kama Ross, District Forester, at the Leelanau Conservation District, 231-256-9783, for more information.

Have you considered turning your tree waste into "biochar"?

10/10/2018

 

BIOCHAR WORKSHOP

Sat, November 3rd, 10 am to 12 pm, at Grow Benzie

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Biochar is a stable form of carbon, chemically equivalent to charcoal, that can be used as a soil amendment to increase moisture, nutrient retention, and habitat for beneficial microorganisms, as well as sequestering carbon in soils. 
GUEST PRESENTERS 
Tim Overdier, soil scientist
Paul May, grazier at May Farm


$5/adult event fee. Please Pre-Register by calling 231.882.4391, or
​CLICK HERE:
REGISTER

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Congrats to Blue Sky Hops: They're MAEAP Verified!

7/31/2017

 
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Environmental Assurance Program Verifies Local Farm
Benzie County Farm Recognized by MAEAP
 
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) is recognizing Blue Sky Hops, of Honor in Benzie County, as a verified farm in Farmstead and Cropping Systems for implementing appropriate pollution prevention practices. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was provided by the Benzie Conservation District.
 “By taking the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation, this Benzie County farm has contributed to the assurance of sustainable farming practices,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Michigan is leading the national agriculture community in effective stewardship practices with the voluntary, incentive-based MAEAP program. The continued success of the program demonstrates that environmental sustainability and economic development are not mutually exclusive.”
   MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies.  More than 100 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. An average of 8,000 Michigan farmers attend educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process and there are more than 4,000 verifications to date.
To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete three comprehensive steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thorough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action plan addressing potential environmental risks. MDARD 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 five 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 four systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, Cropping, and Forest, Wetlands, and Habitat – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. By participating in all four systems, producers can comprehensively evaluate their entire farming operation for potential environmental risks. 
   For more information, visit the MAEAP website at www.maeap.org, contact Benzie Conservation District's MAEAP Technician, Lizzy Freed, or contact Joe Kelpinski, MDARD’s MAEAP Program Manager, at 517-284-5608. 


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By Phone
231.882.4391

By Email
benziecd@benziecd.org

By Mail
280 Benzie Boulevard
POB 408
Beulah, MI 49617

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  • Home
    • Events
    • Calendar
  • About
    • Annual Reports
    • Benzie Natural Resource Assessment
    • BCD Policies
    • Board Directors & Meetings
    • Hinkle Nature Preserve Project
    • Staff
    • Volunteer
    • Links
    • Contact Us
  • Aquatic Invasive Species
    • AIS Events
  • Programs & Services
    • Critical Dunes
    • District Shorts: Video Series
    • Education & Outreach >
      • Beach Clean Ups
      • Benzie: Plastic Awareness Collective
      • District Readers
      • EARTH DAY
      • Leave No Trace/Salmon in the Classroom
      • Nuts 4 Nature
      • Nature Hikes
    • Forestry Assistance Program >
      • ATREP
      • FAP Form
      • Forestry Education & Media
      • Forestry Events
      • Forest Pests & Diseases
      • Forestry Referrals
    • Invasive Species
    • Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
    • Natural Resources Conservation Services
    • Produce Safety
  • Benzie Waters
    • Benzie Watersheds Coalition
    • Platte and Betsie River Clean Sweeps
    • Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program
    • Watersheds
  • Store
    • Shipping Policy
  • Donations
    • Garden Party: Nature Art Auction