Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[fuzzybutt love]

I went, said my peace, and dipped out........... Didn't want to, feel kinda bad that i didn't get to mingle with the representatives, (Or talk to my BYC friends ) But DH informed me this morning AS i was getting ready to go that we have an appointment to go to....... Aaagh. He has no clue, as usual

I can totally be saving lives on here, and he will not believe me...........I don't think he fathomed the bigness of this meeting at all.

At any rate, there was only 4 of us there to speak, and the irony was that we knew more about what was going on than the representatives did!

No wonder there's not a big fuss about it, they are literally flying it through! The representatives will get their copy in Oct, and then vote in Nov! Couldn't tell you all i said, i didn't do a prepared speech (hope i sounded ok) but i did approach it as a consumer, and talked about the financial impact on small businesses, and stressed the fact that i was trying to buy local and keep my money in MI, and also made the point that urban backyard flocks have done a lot in cleaning up the agricultural image. I also pointed out the lack of provision for SMALL flock owners, the part where 1 chicken factored the same as 5000! At least one or two of the representatives didn't seem aware of that fact, that even in proper zoning space requirements could affect ALL small farmers! THAT at least got one's attention. He asked where he could get a copy sooner so he could read about it. I figured that would get their attention better than talking about my chickens. Not that they aren't important, but economy and image were factoring big in what the representatives had talked about before we got up there. I just tied my thoughts into their thoughts, hopefully

I hadn't planned on speaking, but there were so few of us........

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Thank you Fuzzybutt, I am sure you did well.

 

[snowflake]

I went, said my peace, and dipped out........... Didn't want to, feel kinda bad that i didn't get to mingle with the representatives, (Or talk to my BYC friends ) But DH informed me this morning AS i was getting ready to go that we have an appointment to go to....... Aaagh. He has no clue, as usual

I can totally be saving lives on here, and he will not believe me...........I don't think he fathomed the bigness of this meeting at all.

At any rate, there was only 4 of us there to speak, and the irony was that we knew more about what was going on than the representatives did!

No wonder there's not a big fuss about it, they are literally flying it through! The representatives will get their copy in Oct, and then vote in Nov! Couldn't tell you all i said, i didn't do a prepared speech (hope i sounded ok) but i did approach it as a consumer, and talked about the financial impact on small businesses, and stressed the fact that i was trying to buy local and keep my money in MI, and also made the point that urban backyard flocks have done a lot in cleaning up the agricultural image. I also pointed out the lack of provision for SMALL flock owners, the part where 1 chicken factored the same as 5000! At least one or two of the representatives didn't seem aware of that fact, that even in proper zoning space requirements could affect ALL small farmers! THAT at least got one's attention. He asked where he could get a copy sooner so he could read about it. I figured that would get their attention better than talking about my chickens. Not that they aren't important, but economy and image were factoring big in what the representatives had talked about before we got up there. I just tied my thoughts into their thoughts, hopefully

I hadn't planned on speaking, but there were so few of us........

Thank you for going and speaking up I will have to E-mail and try to get to a Lansing meeting

 

[1muttsfan]

Good job Fuzzybutt, sounds like you woke them up

Nova, so sorry to hear about Roger, loved to hear his little stories

 

[SillyChicken]

Well played fuzz, if that's what they're concerned with, use it to stress our situation!

I had contacted someone with the American live stock conservatory... the people who track the survivor status of livestock, heritage breeds etc. I basically asked them if most of the people who had heritage animals were small farms. They said it varies, but most farms that want this kind of live stock are mid to small operations. I wanted some basic info from them so that I can add that to my letter when I get the time to write it.

thanks again to everyone... looks like it's time to write our representatives as well!



Pancakes made in muffin tins. Only fill the tin 1/2 full and it will create the crater when it bakes (follow biscuit directions on package). Fill with fresh berries or whatever you like!

 

[Farmerboy16]

  I went, said my peace, and dipped out........... Didn't want to, feel kinda bad that i didn't get to mingle with the representatives, (Or talk to my BYC friends  )  But DH informed me this morning AS i was getting ready to go that we have an appointment to go to....... Aaagh.  He has no clue, as usual     I can totally be saving lives on here, and he will not believe me...........I don't think he fathomed the bigness of this meeting at all.

At any rate, there was only 4 of us there to speak, and the irony was that we knew more about what was going on than the representatives did! 

No wonder there's not a big fuss about it, they are literally flying it through!  The representatives will get their copy in Oct, and then vote in Nov!  Couldn't tell you all i said, i didn't do a prepared speech (hope i sounded ok)  but i did approach it as a consumer, and talked about the financial impact on small businesses, and stressed the fact that i was trying to buy local and keep my money in MI, and also made the point that urban backyard flocks have done a lot in cleaning up the agricultural image. I also pointed out the lack of provision for SMALL flock owners, the part where 1 chicken factored the same as 5000!  At least one or two of the representatives didn't seem aware of that fact, that even in proper zoning space requirements could affect ALL small farmers!  THAT at least got one's attention. He asked where he could get a copy sooner so he could read about it.     I figured that would get their attention better than talking about my chickens.  Not that they aren't important, but economy and image were factoring big in what the representatives had talked about before we got up there.  I just tied my thoughts into their thoughts, hopefully  
I hadn't planned on speaking, but there were so few of us........  

I saw you there and was hoping to talk to you, but you had left. I understand why you had to leave. I thought that you did great, hope that I made the same impact too.


It was scary for me to stand up to talk, and I could not stop shaking for about 5 mintues after I sat down, also I had forgotten to say about half of what I wanted to say, and had a blank moment too, my throat was so dry in the middle of my speech too, but I survived. But I mostly had talked about how it will affect the 4-H and the FFA in the entire state. And how chickens are quieter and cleaner than cats and dogs. I just pray that our speeches had a big impact on the representatives on how much the law changes will affect us Michiganders.

On the bright side, RaZ was there! I was surprised to see him there since he lives on the other side of the state. It was nice to see him, and I think that he gave a very good speech, much better than I did.

 

[ladyrsanti]

I wanted to be there but I had to take my youngest son to the oral surgeon this morning. He's getting four teeth pulled

next week. Thank you guys for standing up and speaking out! Sounds like you did an excellent job.

 

[greenmimama]

I wanted to be there but I had to take my youngest son to the oral surgeon this morning. He's getting four teeth pulled

next week. Thank you guys for standing up and speaking out! Sounds like you did an excellent job.

ditto

 

[SillyChicken]

We're proud of all 3 of you guys!!

 

[greenmimama]

Well played fuzz, if that's what they're concerned with, use it to stress our situation!

I had contacted someone with the American live stock conservatory... the people who track the survivor status of livestock, heritage breeds etc. I basically asked them if most of the people who had heritage animals were small farms. They said it varies, but most farms that want this kind of live stock are mid to small operations. I wanted some basic info from them so that I can add that to my letter when I get the time to write it.

thanks again to everyone... looks like it's time to write our representatives as well!



Pancakes made in muffin tins. Only fill the tin 1/2 full and it will create the crater when it bakes (follow biscuit directions on package). Fill with fresh berries or whatever you like!

What the what?? that looks so good!