SUSTAINABILITY

At Black Star Farms, we appreciate what the Earth provides us. Our goal is to be environmentally and socially responsible within every operational decision we make. The land provides our products, services, and experiences. We must be responsible stewards to ensure that the same land will remain healthy for many generations to come. Therefore 130 acres of our vineyards have been agriculturally protected. Below are some of the other measures we take in our commitment to sustainable practices.

• Ensuring our Farmstead, Cropping, Livestock, and Forestry standards meet or exceed the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) as set forth by our agricultural governing bodies. We were proudly one of the first farms in Michigan to receive all four certifications.

• We are a proud member of the Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance, a unifying group of Michigan wine industry members who have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability practices.

• We make every attempt to reduce our energy footprint by using LED lighting, high-efficiency heating systems, low energy pumps and motors, and photovoltaic electricity production.

• We partner with organizations, such as Tesla, to provide energy-efficient charging systems for low or zero-emission vehicles.

• We support educational institutions, such as Michigan State University, in providing real-world examples and data regarding the implementation of sustainable, environmentally friendly operations.

• We are continuing our search for sustainable and environmentally friendly methods to operate our business.

• We encourage the conversation regarding our environmental impact and the responsibility we have for protecting our current resources, in addition to continuously seeking out further opportunities to invest in sustainable practices in all of our agricultural operations.