Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[SillyChicken]

Raz, can you post the link to the proposed changes?

 

[RaZ]

Snowflake, the meeting is 9:00 am.
The kudos button is a little thumb's up by the multi-quote, quote, reply buttons.

Silly,
This is the site selection proposal for 2013.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/2013_DRAFT_SITE_SELECTION_GAAMP_392878_7.pdf

From the home page, you can get to each and every GAAMP.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1567_1599_1605---,00.html

We have also asked the Ag Comm. to remove or reword the 2012 preamble which also hurt us backyard keepers.

 

[tdhenson86]

Snowflake, the meeting is 9:00 am.
The kudos button is a little thumb's up by the multi-quote, quote, reply buttons.

Silly,
This is the site selection proposal for 2013.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/2013_DRAFT_SITE_SELECTION_GAAMP_392878_7.pdf

From the home page, you can get to each and every GAAMP.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1567_1599_1605---,00.html

We have also asked the Ag Comm. to remove or reword the 2012 preamble which also hurt us backyard keepers.

So, what are the specific things that we want to see changed? To be honest, I am a full-time student, have a job, and also an internship. I am ALWAYS wanting to see more people raising chickens, but I don't have time to read every GAAMP article.

Could someone provide a synopsis of what we are looking to see so that I can send an intelligent e-mail even given my limited time? Thanks!!!

 

[Wynette]

Good morning, MI friends! Glada - how is that one chick doing that had the bloody umbilicus area? I hope well!

I see you, clown!

td - good suggestion, I'd love to see a synopsis as well. I've got more plates in the air than I know what to do with....

 

[RaZ]

So, what are the specific things that we want to see changed?

td - good suggestion, I'd love to see a synopsis as well. I've got more plates in the air than I know what to do with....

Quoted from another "advocate"..."The difficulty of the issue, in terms of legal versus non-legal uses, is that the RTF Act itself does not place a restriction in any way on land use or land zoning. It has been very clear from the beginning the RTF Act applies across the entire state."

In a nutshell, any weakening of the RTFA of 1999, will allow each and every city or town to create their own rules which may or may not sensible. That chaos was what prompted the law originally.

(For example, Grand Rapids imposes a $150 fine, but Garden City can give 90 days in jail for chickens)

If you are short on time, simply email Mr. Deacon and say that the proposed 2013 changes should NOT be adopted.

 

[gladahmae]

looking through it, and I don't even PRETEND to understand legal-ese, it says that new 'operations' with 0-49 'units' (0-4900 chickens) have to be 100ft from a property line, have 5 or fewer neighbors withing .25miles AND have to follow township zoning. that seems like it would be a big issue for people with city lots.

 

[Farmerboy16]

As many of you know there are proposed changes being written for the GAAMPs. These changes, if adopted will affect 80% of the state. There are a few of us attending the Ag Commission and GAAMPs meetings. Comments during these meetings are public record. The meeting of August 22, 2012 is recapped by Mr. Brad Deacon, who reports to the Ag Com Director. Please contact Mr. Deacon for a copy of the summary and public comments that are available. Also let him know how the proposed changes will affect you and your flock. The next meeting will be September 12 in Coopersville at 9:00. Let Mr. Deacon know that you want your statement included in the record. Write or call:
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]Brad Deacon[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]Emergency Management &[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]Administrative Law Coordinator[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]Michigan Department of Agriculture &[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]Rural Development[/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt][email protected][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[COLOR=1F497D][SIZE=11pt]517-241-4085[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Its in Coopersville! Not far from me, so I might go there! Is there anything that I should bring or something? I want to be able to say and do the right things to make things go positively for us.

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I LIVE here, so i am definitely going. Just so you all know, coopersville already tried to shut down at home farm stands, and were all proud of it too, until the law got involved. Then they had to publicly retract their statements about the legality of them. The gist was that you were supposed to bring your produce to their farm market, and pay the lot fee, of course. So the cards are stacked in this meeting, likely

 

[fuzzybutt love]

What is the purpose of this meeting? What would be the best way to influence? Has anyone figured out what it is about the small chicken operations that they object to, exactly? I feel i could make a more effective argument if i knew what i was arguing about, exactly, besides keeping my birds.

 

[RaZ]

EXACTLY, Glad,
Most of the state can't meet that criteria. Then throw in the local ordinance and it becomes impossible. Sterling Heights, for example, requires a minimum of eight (8) acres for three (3) chickens.

The entire proposal needs to be scrapped and started again with some common sense.

FB, you just need to say that the changes will hurt all farmers, because without the opportunity for people to experience things like 4H and FFA, we will lose the next generation of commercial farmers. Many young people want to try the farming experience and start small. If that becomes restricted as outlined, then they will discouraged from even trying.

Look at all the vacant land in Detroit that could be used for chickens, rabbits, vegetables or fruit trees. It is all affected.