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1. This is a sample version of the electronic edition. This sample is a collection of a few stories we
have inside this week’s issue, but it will show you how you can read the Cass City Chronicle on-
line. For any questions, contact us Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at (989) 872-2010.
Note: The Cass City Chronicle’s actual front page will look different than the sample provided
here.
What’s with these Deer a factor in FFA effort yields
crazy animals? 2-vehicle accident homegrown broilers
Meg’s Peg, page 2 Page 4 Page 8
Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899
VOLUME 106, NUMBER 35 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2012 75 CENTS ~ 16 PAGES
2 Tuscola farms
earn recognition
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s
(MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program
(MAEAP) is recognizing 2 farms in Tuscola County for implementing
appropriate pollution prevention practices.
The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmen-
tal regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance was
provided by Steve Schaub of the Tuscola Conservation District.
The Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
recognized:
* Paramount Enterprises Dairy, of Caro, as a verified farm in the Livestock
and Cropping Systems.
* Hudson Produce Farm, of Caro, as a verified farm in the Farmstead,
Cropping and Livestock Systems.
“I am pleased to announce that these Tuscola County farms have taken the
steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation,” said
MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “Michigan is leading the way
nationwide in effective stewardship practices with the voluntary, incentive-
based MAEAP program. This continued effort shows agricultural producers’
long term commitment to protecting the environment while maintaining eco-
nomic success.”
MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan Farm
Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, con-
servation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies.
More than 100 local coordinators and technical service providers are avail-
able to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward ver-
All aboard!
ification. An average of 5,000 Michigan farmers attend educational pro- THE GRAND TRUNK Western Railroad Company filed a formal appli-
grams annually; 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification
process; and more than 1,100 farms have been verified to-date. cation of abandonment and, in February 1984, the last train to leave Cass
To become MAEAP verified, farmers must complete 3 comprehensive
steps which include attending an educational seminar, conducting a thor- City departed with 2 diesel engines, a snow plow, 2 empty cars and a
ough on-farm risk assessment, and developing and implementing an action caboose. (See story, page 11)
plan addressing potential environmental risks. MDARD conducts an onfarm
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 cer-
tificate of environmental assurance.
To remain a MAEAP verified farm, inspections must be conducted every 3
years and action steps must be followed.
In March of 2011, Gov. Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 122 and House Bill
4212, now Public Acts 1 and 2 of 2011, to codify the Michigan Agriculture
Environmental Assurance Program into law.
MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet personal
objectives, while best managing both time and resources. The program
encompasses 3 systems designed to help producers evaluate the environ-
mental risks of their operation.
THE 2012 Cass City 8th grade volleyball team members included: (front, l-r)
Alexa Torres, Alexus Bates (middle) Kelcie Autry, Amy Verhines, Katelynn
Mester, Victoria Cumper, Jordan Pawloski, Claudia Riddle, Savana Doerr
(back) Emily Peters, Megan Badgley, Paige Bagnall, Karasten Warford,
Josephine Loomis and Coach Sally Pergande.