Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[tntchix]

This is what it looked like on my street.




Looking downstream.



Class I rapids down the driveway


And then there was this rocket scientist...

Ugh, i thought it missed you. Wow. Yep, a 5 hr nap sounds like it's just what you need.

 

[aart]

Hi everyone!

I'm new and looking for some help. My partner and I are considering buying our first house, and we want to buy a property where we can raise some livestock. Namely a dairy goat or two, chickens, and maybe some honey bees.

With the 2014 changes to Michigan's Right to Farm Act, I'm somewhat confused on how--if at all--the state's statute overrides local ordinances?

We're looking at a lovely 2 acre property in Hartland Township. It is zoned CA-Conservation Agricultural. The zoning ordinance requires 5 acres for goats and 2.5 acres for poultry. (Which is, in my opinion, quite frankly ridiculous given that it's smack dab in farm country.)

Is there any protection under the MRTFA still for a property like this? I knocked on doors in the neighborhood and everyone liked the idea of us homesteading. Many people owned horses or other livestock as well already, so I don't think neighbors would be a big problem.

However, we want to know what we're getting ourselves into and don't want to invest in structures and livestock only to be smacked with recurring civil infraction fines later on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If this is not the appropriate location for this kind of question I apologize and would be grateful if anyone could direct me to the appropriate sub-forum.

Thanks!

Might find something here too https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/37/local-chicken-laws-ordinances-and-how-to-change-them

and here http://www.michigansmallfarmcouncil.org/join-us.html

 

[Trefoil]

Michigan right to farm has decided that it really meant Michigan commercial right to farm and has basically abandoned everyone else. So you'll get no help there. What you could do is go to the zoning board and ask for a variance. Good luck

 

[tntchix]

Hi everyone!

I'm new and looking for some help. My partner and I are considering buying our first house, and we want to buy a property where we can raise some livestock. Namely a dairy goat or two, chickens, and maybe some honey bees.

With the 2014 changes to Michigan's Right to Farm Act, I'm somewhat confused on how--if at all--the state's statute overrides local ordinances?

We're looking at a lovely 2 acre property in Hartland Township. It is zoned CA-Conservation Agricultural. The zoning ordinance requires 5 acres for goats and 2.5 acres for poultry. (Which is, in my opinion, quite frankly ridiculous given that it's smack dab in farm country.)

Is there any protection under the MRTFA still for a property like this? I knocked on doors in the neighborhood and everyone liked the idea of us homesteading. Many people owned horses or other livestock as well already, so I don't think neighbors would be a big problem.

However, we want to know what we're getting ourselves into and don't want to invest in structures and livestock only to be smacked with recurring civil infraction fines later on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If this is not the appropriate location for this kind of question I apologize and would be grateful if anyone could direct me to the appropriate sub-forum.

Thanks!

I live in same county and they are a bit more, um, by the book in that township. Might want to go out a bit further to avoid problems.

 

[Grammi]

Sometimes the good people win!!


http://www.grandhaventribune.com/article/1088991

 

[tntchix]

Sometimes the good people win!!


http://www.grandhaventribune.com/article/1088991

It's about dang time.

 

[RaZ]

Sometimes the good people win!!
http://www.grandhaventribune.com/article/1088991

You beat me to it. I was posting about this over on FB.

I'm glad they prevailed.

 

[aart]

Can anyone give a quick and simple definition between Category 3 & 4?

Seems that's what saved them according to the article.

 

[yorkchick]

Raz, what's your deadline for coming up with the money? Get that fundraiser started, can't you see that people are just lining up to give you money? Don't make us beg for you to take it.

 

[RaZ]

Well here it is. My hat in hand begging for money fund raiser.
http://www.gofundme.com/czvnkw

I have to have the programme complete and signed off within 45 days.