Dan Wieringa is our farmer and certified CAP CNMP provider.

Dan was born and raised on a beef and cropping farm in Ottawa County. Growing up, he farmed with his dad and uncle, milked cows and worked as a farm hand at a neighbor’s dairy farm, and participated in 4H and FFA. Dan carried on the family-farm tradition, grazing his own herd of Polled Hereford beef cattle. Dan majored in Agribusiness Management and has been working with farmers ever since.  He worked in the Allegan County NRCS office for two years helping sign up clients for cost-share assistance. Dan’s hands-on experience with agriculture and his time working for the USDA-NRCS in Allegan County make him a unique asset because he understands farmers and the nuances of NRCS programs.

James DeYoung is our certified CAP CNMP provider and DEQ permits specialist.

James works with farms to apply for and stay in compliance with the DEQ-CAFO permit. He also collaborates with farms to train employees, assists with record keeping, and writes nutrient management plans for farms of all sizes. As one of the first CAP certified CNMP providers in the state, James’ attention to detail and ability to develop realistic solutions have earned him the respect of farmers and government regulators alike. James enjoys talking with farmers and non-farmers alike to build bridges between communities. He feels that it is important for everyone to understand the various rules and government regulations, and frequently finds himself translating government rules into language anyone can understand. His experiences helping farmers work through compliance issues with EPA, DEQ, and MDARD, have resulted in being called upon to serve on the Manure Management GAAMPS review task force.  James’ experience living overseas in Haiti, Honduras, Dominican Republic, and Mexico gives him a unique insight into the global nature of agriculture (and he speaks Spanish fluently).  James purchased CJD Farm Consulting in 2014