Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[RaZ]

An update to the MAEAP certification process that started a few months back.
After the field tech review, both Mike and I were told that we are not able to be certified because we live in the city. I pressed the technician more information and wrote a few e-mails. I finally got this response in writing,
"Randy,

In short, the MAEAP Program cannot supersede local laws in the establishment of a farm. We can guide you in the environmental practices, but we can’t verify your operation because it is not located in an appropriated zone.

I will keep you in our records, if you proceed with your case. Let me know if a different verdict comes out.


What are GAAMPs?
The Michigan Right to Farm Act, P.A. 93, was enacted in 1981 to provide farmers with nuisance protection. This state law authorizes the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop and adopt Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) for farms and farm operations in Michigan. These farm management practices are scientifically based and updated annually to utilize current technology promoting sound environmental stewardship on Michigan farms.

By utilizing GAAMPs, farmers and Michigan residents benefit t: through environmental protection of natural resources; sound management of agricultural inputs; and sustaining a strong and stable agricultural industry.

While adherence to the GAAMPs does not act as a complete barrier to complaints or lawsuits, it does provide an umbrella of protection from nuisance litigation. In addition to conformance to the GAAMPs, farmers also need to comply with all state and federal environmental and agricultural laws."
With other things going on, I didn't get back to MAEAP until today when I called Lansing to get their take on the comments.
I spoke with Heather (517) 373-9797 and she said that MAEAP is for everyone and gave me the Inspector's cell phone number to make an appointment for the next step.

Heather is also going to check with her supervisor to see if anything has changed recently regarding certifications based on zoning. But as of now, there is no official contraindication for certification.

I suggest everyone call and/or write to get the process started for your own operation.

 

[Fancy Favie]

Well i'm hoping I can join you all for this years Chickenstock and its looking good so far... If my chicks have hatched before then I will definately be coming, I have Standard Salmon Faverolles available from day old on up If anyone would be interested and also hatching eggs, I'm not sure yet on the dish to pass just yet but should know more closer to the ChickenStock date, Please feel free to Pm me if you would like me to bring my Faverolles

 

[naglady]

Just notice we are missing a 2 mos old chick.. from outside. not sure how long he has been missing. been pretty busy the last couple of days and guess i havent been super good about counting them in the coop.. i would glance and that is it.. i think he got loose and flead to shelter.. and got lost. hard to tell.. he was my first and only chick that hatched out of my first batch.. i put a missing ad on the oscoda yard sale site.. to see if anyone has saw him in a certain area.. maybe we will get lucky.. i hate to think some wild animal got him. which very well could of happened.

 

[NovaAman]

WOOHOO!! Go Randy! So glad you got your funds! Hopefully now they will not come up with some BS fees more on top of the BS fees you had to begin with. I wish I could have given more, but I am just happy you are gonna remain free to annoy the 7734 out of your lovely neighbor. Such a treat!

Daron, good job!

 

[snowflake]

good job Daran, lucky you were there

RAZ,

so glad you made your goal, I to would watch for added fees, and I am glad their computers weren't down when you went to pay, have you been able to comply with the rest of their kind requests? I'm sure they will find something else to fine you for,
maybe you should offer to sell them your house (for what you need to get out of it and relocate) then you could move to the country

 

[snowflake]

looks like we are infor a hot and WET week, makes it hard to get the garden in. May have to put a rain coat on and brave the weather

 

[taprock]

Any of you who have dealt with foot issues who might have some advice. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/786861/multiple-issues-with-feet.

 

[Opa]

Sometime around 845 we heard a loud explosion and the lights when off. Then 1 few minutes later the first round of storms hit. For the rest of the day I sat reading and watching the rain come down in buckets. One wave of storms would roll thru, it would almost clear up, and another rounds of storms would hit.

Only our house and one neighbor were without power. A power pole with a transformer on it feeds both my house and the neighbor's, and I suspected that the problem was not caused by the weather but my a squirrel. A quick search between storms ,confirmed my suspicion. An electrocuted bushy tailed critter laid at the bottom of the pole.

The original estimate for repair was between 11:30 and 1:30. When that time had come and gone I called for an update only to hear that due to unusually high demands no possible repair time could be given.

Since there were so many outages county wide, and since my outage only affected 2 houses I knew we would be given a low priority and possibly our power might not be restored for quite awhile. I finally decided that it would be prudent to fill some water jugs so there would be water for the toilets. I was retrieving some empty milk bottles from the garage when Granny sang out "Edison is here". Eight hours after losing power we were back on line. I really do appreciated the efforts of power workers who often in adverse conditions strive to maintain our service.

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

Sorry Opa but I am laughing! I literally just asked my husband if he'd tested the genie lately? This is exactly the sort of storm that blows the transformer out here by me... Once we were out 3 Days. Those that filled their buckets and bathtubs acted prudently. I'm very happy that Edison got to you relatively quickly and sounds like all is well now.

Happy Great news for you RaZ!!

Awesome on your delivery, FBoy.

Tap, left you reply on your thread.
I hope that baby finds its way home.

DH quickly disced and I just scatter planted 5# Oats + a ton of random beans... Blackeyed Peas that I grew in my garden last year and saved all for seed, a bunch of KY Wonder, and some bush var. too. ...Just in time for lightning to explode over my house and rain to come down hard. Hope that is enough for drilling in that seed! I had terrible weeds and pests last year so this is cover crop.

Anyone else have that miserable Squash Vine Borer?

 

[Amy PT]

Randy, I'm happy your funds came in. Phew. Now for the other parts of the fight... Wishing you strength.

Opa, I'm going to keep an eye on your tomato plant experiment. I was considering growing mine up this year, but our coop extension project took up building time, and we're back to the old cage route.