Saturday farm tour to honor Irondenko Mum’s the Word mum farm

Walt and Carol Irodenko of New Boston recently were inducted into the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program for their Mum’s the Word mum farm, becoming a verified farm in a Farmstead and Cropping System.
The Monroe County Agricultural Council will sponsor a farm tour at Mum’s the Word, 23665 Otter Road, New Boston, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, to honor the Irodenkos.
The Irodenkos also are members of the Master Gardeners of Western Wayne County.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) recognizes farms 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 is provided by local Conservation Districts.
MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams said he was pleased to announce the farms that have taken the steps necessary to become an environmentally verified operation.
“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 economic success.”
An average of 5,000 Michigan farmers attend MAEAP educational programs annually, 10,000 Michigan farms have started the verification process, and more than 2,000 farms have been verified to date.