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  1. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Yes, our land is zoned residential and has been since the mid '60s. There is no longer any agriculturally zoned land in Shelby Township. Horses are allowed on 3 acres or more, never poultry. The MRTFA DOES apply. There is no language in the MRTFA related to minimum farm size or location of...
  2. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Does not know, does not care, or does not respect the difference? So, in effect, MDARD has now determined that a farm is not always a farm, and agriculture is not always agriculture, and these proposed changes open the door to local communities prohibiting the raising of fruits and vegetables...
  3. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Three cheers for Wingless! I am certain that there has been a good amount of...not coverup, but not full disclosure...within the MDARD. Thank you so very much for taking time to benefit others and standing up for the good of many, when you already have your own flock.
  4. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    You've opened the door, it's not an underground issue in your community any longer. While it's fresh in the minds of the public, build a P.R. campaign as a law-abiding citizen. Teach people that chickens are no more of a nuisance than cats, dogs, pet cockatoos or parrots. Those pets are all...
  5. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    I'd rather let my kids go barefoot in an organic garden fertilized with manure than with chemical fertilizers and pesticides and herbicides. Craigslist is an excellent outlet for surplus manure. Factory farms and commercial food suppliers don't have a great track record with avoiding...
  6. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Wingless, if you could send that info to me I would also like to apply. Chances are slim as there is another local farmer on the commission (Westview Orchards, they do agritourism in addition to orchard and cider and bakery).
  7. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    "Where does it specifically say that livestock production facilities are ONLY more than 5000 laying hens (or 50 animal units, right?) because the MDARD guy specifically said ALL animal farms NO MATTER THE SIZE are considered livestock production facilities. So the site selection GAAMP applies to...
  8. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    I agree, it would have been better to have nipped this exclusion paragraph in the bud. But let's take a look at it in its entirety: 'This GAAMP does not apply in municipalities with a population of 100,000 or more in which a zoning ordinance has been enacted to allow for agriculture provided...
  9. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    All GAAMPS must be considered when establishing, modifying, or maintaining a farm. However, it is evident that some GAAMPS will not be applicable to a particular farm. For example, though there is a GAAMP for cranberry production, I am not required to adhere to its standards, as I don't grow...
  10. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    However, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, RTFA jurisdiction does not apply because a farm being allowed in a zoning district is specifically mentioned as a prerequisite in certain Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (e.g. livestock...
  11. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    RaZ, we went down the same road. I pretty much gave up two and a half years of my life, incurred insane legal expenses, missed a great deal of work, and was so sick of reading and writing about our case (which to me was plain as day that we were under the MRTFA) that I wanted to quit many...
  12. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    It would be worth composing, as a group, an introductory letter to Jamie Clover Adams stating our position, intent, and goals, and to inquire into her position on the subject. Right now this is a group that would prefer to obey the law, but more importantly would prefer that those entrusted...
  13. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    I agree that ALL the GAAMPS apply. Has anyone here actually read the site selection GAAMP? http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/2012_FINAL_SITE_SELECTION_GAAMP_378548_7.pdf Relevant portions outlined below: Page 3, Definitions: Animal Units - Animal units are defined as listed in...
  14. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    For those of you whose communities keep their ordinances online at Municode.com, here is the link: http://www.municode.com/Library/MI. Sorry, Troy residents, it's not there for you, but the city may have them on their own site, and the library and clerk always have copies. The first thing you...
  15. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Stephen J. Mahoney, CPAg Michigan Department of Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Division 525 W. Allegan Street P.O. Box 30017 Lansing, MI 48909 (517) 241-2508 (517) 335-3329 (fax) [email protected] We worked with Stephen Mahoney in the Environmental Stewardship Division when...
  16. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Spot on. If we cannot trust the intent of the Legislature as expressed in the MRTFA and upheld in MI Court of Appeals to be carried out by the party appointed to the department charged with carrying it out (MDARD), then changes are necessary to ensure that the rights of the people of Michigan...
  17. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    There is NOTHING in the MDARD site that contradicts the MRTFA. I'd suggest any contact with representatives point out the responses and attitude of the Director of the MDARD site, who is not upholding his position and using his authority to promote legal means. His personal opinion should not...
  18. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    It is encouraging to know that legal defense is now available. My attorney in our successful case, Geoffrey Harrison of Lansing, waged a pitched battle over several years and of course was successful in the end. We sought legal aid from the Macomb County Farm Bureau, and we're met with "too...
  19. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    I posted some Shelby Township specific notes on another thread that may be helpful in general for those starting a petition: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/657776/how-to-get-chicken-laws-changed-in-shelby-township-mi/10
  20. VikkiP

    Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

    Interesting developments that I had not previously seen: http://www.michigantownships.org/downloads/all_things_ag_johnson.pdf See specifically slide 18 A thumbnail sketch of some important cases: http://lu.msue.msu.edu/pamphlet/Blaw/SelectedPlan&ZoneCourt%20RTFA%201964-2006.pdf And a...
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