Michigan Right to Farm Law, what does it mean?

[RTFchickens]

Blooie
I completely agree with you that not all officials are "out to get us" and we do have some great government officials out there.
Unfortunately my farm is not my primary residence, and I'm pretty sure I cannot vote there since I don't "live there" full time.
Our local government has harrassed us to the point of criminal activity for keeping 18 chickens on 50+ acres. The funny part is that they were the ones breaking the law and convicted in criminal court, not us.
One of my complaints is that even if I was doing something plainly illegal at my home, I would have to be given a search warrant before they could search my property. I would also be given a day in court to defend myself. Anything found on my property by illegal search would not be admissible in court according to the constitution.
In my instance, my animals were observed by a trespassing official!

 

[peaceofthislife]

It's not the HOA that is on our backs right now, it's the township. But I'm sure a neighbor complained to the HOA who then turned us in to the township, so even if we fight the township and win, the HOA will serve us with a violation within days. It buys us some time, but It's very unfortunate. My kids are heartbroken at the thought of losing their birds. My husband has decided We are listing our house this week, we decided keeping our children involved with farming and raising animals so they are able to provide themselves with food, if needed, is so important to us it is worth moving to a place where we are free to do that.

Good luck to everyone!

 

[mcbeers]

It's not the HOA that is on our backs right now, it's the township. But I'm sure a neighbor complained to the HOA who then turned us in to the township, so even if we fight the township and win, the HOA will serve us with a violation within days. It buys us some time, but It's very unfortunate. My kids are heartbroken at the thought of losing their birds. My husband has decided We are listing our house this week, we decided keeping our children involved with farming and raising animals so they are able to provide themselves with food, if needed, is so important to us it is worth moving to a place where we are free to do that.

Good luck to everyone!

Does your HOA actually have a rule against chickens, or are they operating under the local ordinance? If you win in court against the township, but the HOA has no rule about chickens, it seems like it would be over, unless someone proposed adding a rule.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

No, not all officials are bad. I'm glad to hear you are a good one, Blooie. Over here i am sure there are decent ones but they are being quiet. Much disdain lately over these "dirty farm animals" don't matter how clean they are kept.

 

[Blooie]

While I thank you all for the compliments, it isn't just me on the council. Our mayor, Joel, and the other council members - Dennis, Rob, and Dexter - are also determined to serve the entire population of Cowley. Our town has just over 650 people. We can't hide behind ivory palaces of anonymity here. We run into the people we affect every day at the post office, the gas station, the cafe and strolling down the streets in the evening. We have to face them, answer their questions, and take their concerns to our meetings. So it works because we want it to work, and because we work well together.

 

[wingless]

It's not the HOA that is on our backs right now, it's the township. But I'm sure a neighbor complained to the HOA who then turned us in to the township, so even if we fight the township and win, the HOA will serve us with a violation within days. It buys us some time, but It's very unfortunate. My kids are heartbroken at the thought of losing their birds. My husband has decided We are listing our house this week, we decided keeping our children involved with farming and raising animals so they are able to provide themselves with food, if needed, is so important to us it is worth moving to a place where we are free to do that.

Good luck to everyone!

peaceofthislife, I don't know if you've been following what is going on with the proposed changes to the Site Selection GAAMPs,but if those changes are approved on Monday, then there will be many fewer places in Michigan where you can legally have a small farm operation. The proposed changes attempt to return the decision of whether those operations are legal back to cities and townships, for residential but not agricultural areas. This means that intensive operations such as CAFOs will continue to be protected by RTF, but that small operations in or near residential areas, or rural areas that are zoned residential, will not. It is not too late to write to the Commission of Agriculture with your concerns before Monday, and I hope that you will. They can be reached here: [email protected]

 

[BigHope888]

RTF, that was pretty cool to do "recon" work!

Peaceofthislife, I have read that chicken keepers here in MI often print out a copy, a whole paper copy of Michigan Right to Farm, and have all its suburban chicken keeping information bookmarked/highlighted, especially the part that reads, "No township or municipality shall enact or enforce..." and keep it near the front door to directly show any township code enforcers who come to hassle you. That's my backup plan.

Also, Blooie rocks.

 

[JackieandChicks]

RTF, that was pretty cool to do "recon" work!

Peaceofthislife, I have read that chicken keepers here in MI often print out a copy, a whole paper copy of Michigan Right to Farm, and have all its suburban chicken keeping information bookmarked/highlighted, especially the part that reads, "No township or municipality shall enact or enforce..." and keep it near the front door to directly show any township code enforcers who come to hassle you. That's my backup plan.

Also, Blooie rocks.

Can you link that? Thanks!

 

[melodymom4]

Be persistant, confident, and nice. They will leave you be.

Some towns might try to fight it, , but the ones that have, have lost. I had to help a friend in Taylor. It took a few months, but they gave up. I think they finally realized we were right, and there was nothing they could do about it. My friend didn't even have many hens. No rooster. She was being more than reasonable with them.


Bluemoon

We live in Taylor. We currently have 4 chicks. I was feeling confident in MRTFA, but have been feeling nervous about the "ask forgiveness not permission" route it feels like we are taking. How did this work out for your friend? Can I get more info on particulars please?

 

[wingless]

Can you link that? Thanks!

A link to the actual law is here: http://sustainablefarmpolicy.org/the-law/

And a link to a clear explanation from Dr. Patricia Norris, a Professor at MSU, is here: http://www.animalagteam.msu.edu/uploads/files/20/Tech Bullitin Land Use.pdf