Today the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development met and voted on proposed changes to the 2015 GAAMPs.  The proposed change of greatest concern to small farmers this year was changes to the Animal Care GAAMP that would have required a 6 foot high fence on every side of a bee hive, if that hive was within 200 feet of a property line.  Discussion during the meeting revealed that the major concern was that there be a 6 foot high barrier on the side of the hive where bees exit and enter, rather than on the other sides of the hive.  A small change in wording was added to the proposed changes, such that the the 6 foot high barrier is only required on the side of the hive where bees enter and exit.  This was a win-win-win-win, as all the interested parties - the MSFC, the Ag Commission, MDARD, and the Michigan Beekeepers Association all agreed to this solution.  

And once that issue was settled, Commissioner Dru Montri asked Dr. Janice Swanson, Chair of the Animal Care GAAMPs Committee whether she would be willing to accept farmers on her Committee in the future.  She said she would be glad to consider adding farmers to that GAAMPs Committee, so perhaps in the future small farmers will be able to voice their concerns about proposed changes as members of that committee, instead of as perennial outsiders to the process.

Many thanks to the Commissioners of Agriculture, to MDARD, to Dr. Swanson, and to the Michigan Beekeepers Association for their work today.

Republican Tim Kelly from the 94th District introduced House Bill 4012 yesterday that would amend the Zoning Enabling Act to allow for agriculture in residentially zoned areas.  

(2) THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE   "HOMESTEAD SUBSISTENCE FARMING ACT". IF A STRUCTURE IS LAWFULLY USED AS A RESIDENCE UNDER A ZONING ORDINANCE, THE PRODUCTION OF FARM PRODUCTS ON THE PROPERTY WHERE THE STRUCTURE IS LOCATED, FOR CONSUMPTION BY THE RESIDENTS OR TRANSFER BY THE RESIDENTS, IS A LAWFUL USE AND IS NOT SUBJECT TO A SPECIAL USE OR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT OR PROCEDURE. THIS SUBSECTION DOES NOT PROHIBIT SALES OF FARM PRODUCTS ABOVE A DE MINIMIS VALUE IF OTHERWISE AUTHORIZED BY LAW. AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION: (A) "FARM PRODUCTS" MEANS FRUITS, VEGETABLES, DAIRY PRODUCTS, OR REASONABLE NUMBERS OF POULTRY, LIVESTOCK, OR OTHER FARM ANIMALS. "TRANSFER" INCLUDES FOOD STAND OR SIMILAR SALES OF A DE MINIMIS VALUE OR TRADING OR SHARING.