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Voluntary verification readied farm for audits

A Michigan farmer says environmental verification helped him better prepare for food safety audits.

Fourth generation farmer Scott Lewis farms 700 acres in West Michigan, growing apples, cherries, peaches, pears, plums and asparagus. Lewis tells Brownfield, he voluntarily became verified with the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) in cropping, farmstead and livestock systems. He says the process helped the farm be better preferred for audits.

“They’re all intertwined and they all are trying to do the same thing: record keeping, making sure you’re following the correct application rates on your fertilizers, making sure you’re taking care of your pesticides.”

Living close to Lake Michigan in New Era, Lewis says caring for the environment and soil is very serious.

AUDIO: Interview with Scott Lewis (1:59 mp3):