Ok Peeps. Here Is The Skinny On The Mrtfa!

[Denninmi]

Well, I'm glad it's revived. We need this info.

I don't want to have to hassle with my township if they ever show up, but I will if I must. The only thing that bothers me is that I am not technically the property owner, its in my mother's trust. When she passes away, I'll have to deed it over to myself out of her trust. Then, they'll say that my "farm" wasn't pre-existing.

From what I've read, MRTFA definitely covers pre-existing agricultural operations, but its a gray area as to "starting up" a new one? Am I interpreting this right?

Oh, for the record, we have always grown a lot of things and sold the extras -- when I was a kid, I made a LOT of money in the summers with my little table of home grown stuff out by the road, and my dad used to take orders and sold things to his coworkers at GM, some weeks in the summer he would bring home half as much from produce as from his GM paycheck, which was awesome.

 

[dianaross77]

Quote:
The original act was to protect pre-existing farms from nuisance lawsuits but it was amended in 2001 to protect any farm (commercial agricultural operation). Put an ad on craigslist for your eggs to be on the safe side and keep track of the number of eggs you sell. It doesn't matter if you make a profit, either.

eta: post #5 sites the exact place in the bill that protects every farm not just pre-existing.

 

[dianaross77]

I've decided to post on my own thread to avoid further discussion of this topic on another. I just wanted my intentions to be clear. My intention is not to interpret the law or force my opinions on anyone else and is certainly not to bicker with anyone about who is right. I do however believe that for the most part the courts' rulings are in direct conflict with the MRTFA. The last one regarding the man in Milford was just plain ridiculous. Nowhere in the RTFA does it say a farm has to be profitable. My intention is to make as many people aware of the MRTFA as I can and give them the resources to be prepared. And should the need arise, to fight their own fights. As of now, there isn't enough case law for those of us farming in our backyards. The townships have taken to deciding for people whether or not the RTFA applies to people or not (they always say it doesn't) and it isn't their right to decide that. If we allow the townships to bully us into backing down before we've had our cases heard before a judge nothing will ever change. As good citizens of this country we deserve to have the opportunity to have our cases heard without being made to feel as though we are wasting the courts' and judges' time. That is their job, it's what they are there for, it's what our tax dollars help to fund.

 

[zengrrl]

Bravo Diana, I applaud your efforts. During World War II, people were ENCOURAGED to have victory gardens and keep a few birds for meat and eggs. We have more war and unrest going on now and they're trying to ban chickens and gardens in the front yard. Its terrible.

 

[sarich58]

Hi I'm new to BYC
I live in Bloomfield Township, Michigan and have been raising hens for eggs for the past two years. I live on one acre of wooded property and the chicken coop which is on wheels is kept on the property in the woods. yesterday I received a letter from the township stating I had to get a permit for the chickens and coop. We do have one neighbor that is not well liked in the sub and creates lots of trouble. My concern is, if we have to get the approval of all the neighbors he will not approve and we'll have to get rid of our chickens which are our pets.

I've looked over the ordinance and it says to be a "farm" we have to have 40+ acres.

any advise or help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dianaross77]

Is this neighbor's yard bordering your yard or just close? I can't find any information on Bloomfield's permit requirements.

 

[RaZ]

This thread has been inactive for a long time. Might be time to raise awareness.

 

[GMRM]

So for the Grand Blanc users have you had any issues since the start of this thread? I'm looking at buying a home in Grand Blanc and am wondering if anything new has happened.