Today in the Kalamazoo Gazette it was announced that the Michigan Agricultural Commission is making a recommendation to strip the rights of small farms and backyard hobby operations. The small farmer is under attack already by our DNR in the state. This is a ploy by big agri to strip the protections the small producer has under the protections of the "Right To Farm" protection already on the books. "Right To farm" give protection from nuisance complaints and the right for the small hobby farm and producer to operate.

The new rules in the Michigan's Generally Acceptable Agricultural Practices (GAAPMP's) would exclude and change the protections. Also any operation with one or more animal could be thrown into a now unknown category to be formed by the hostile governor who will side only with big agri.

I just found out about this. The meeting is tomorrow in the morning 9am in the Lansing area.
Room A at the State Secondary Complex-General Office Building
7150 Harris Drive
Dimondale MI

Local media told us today. Of course I feel it was planned that way.

This is very dangerous my friends.

To write letters and contact

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's
Environmental Stewardship Division
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI
48909

Now here are the members of the board.

Members and Information about the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development has the responsibility to recommend, and in some cases determine, policy on food, agricultural, and rural development issues. The Commission is a bipartisan body of five citizens appointed by the Governor.
State law dictates that no more than three Commission members may be from the same political party. The Commission meets once a month and meetings are open to the public. Citizens and organizations wishing to observe or discuss matters under the Commission's jurisdiction are encouraged to attend.

Contact Information:

Michigan Commission
of Agriculture & Rural Development
P.O.Box 30017
Lansing, MI 48909

517-284-5718 (Voice)
517-284-5767 (TTY)
mda-ag-commission@michigan.gov

Chair, Diane Hanson, Cornell, Michigan

Diane Hanson was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder and became chair on January 14, 2014.

Hanson is a third generation owner and operator of Hanson Seed Farm with her husband Dennis and two sons, Scott and Ted. They raise over 250 acres of seed potatoes, along with small grains, hay, and beef cattle. The farm is known state and nation- wide for seed production.

She is active in local, state, and national agricultural groups. She was appointed to the U.S. Potato Board in 2010, serves on the FSA committee and the Hiawathaland Farm Bureau as a director and past president, is a member of the Upper Peninsula Potato Growers, the Michigan Potato Industry, and the Potato Growers of Michigan. She coordinates the setup of commodities, farm history and present day farming practices at the Miracle of Life display, which runs during the Upper Peninsula State Fair. She also organizes a farm tour for local, state, and federally elected officials to help educate them on farming in the UP.

She resides in Cornell, Michigan, with her husband Dennis, they have 6 children and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, along with taking care of her grandchildren, helping others, and appreciating the good life that she has. Her term term expires December 31, 2014.

Contact Information:
3595 26th Road
Cornell, MI 49818
906-384-6301 (Office Line 1)
906-384-6908 (Office Line 2)
906-384-6908 (Home)
e-mail: hansfarm@up.net

Vice Chair, Trever Meachum, Hartford, Michigan

Trever Meachum was appointed to the commission on January 9, 2012, by Governor Rick Snyder and became vice chair on January 14, 2014.

Meachum is the production manager for High Acres Fruit Farm, a 3000 acre fruit, vegetable and cash crop farm in Van Buren County. He farms with his parents and two brothers. He also serves as the secretary of the Hartford Township Planning Commission. He is chairman of the Michigan Apple Research Committee and finance chair of the International Fruit Tree Association. He is a member of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Association (MACMA Apple Committee.

He resides in Hartford, Michigan with wife Jennifer and twins Glenn and Charlotte.

His term expires Dec. 31, 2015.

Contact Information:
Trever Meachum
60930 52nd Ave.,
Hartford, MI 49057
269-621-4713 (Home)
269-621-4360 (Office)
e-mail: jalapeno@cybersol.com

Secretary, Fred Walcott, Allendale, Michigan

Fred Walcott was appointed to the Commission on January 5, 2013 by Governor Rick Snyder and became secretary on January 14, 2014.

A lifelong farmer, Walcott works for Valley View Pork LLC. The 4,000-acre family farm produces hogs, corn, wheat and soybeans, and houses a weather station which monitors crop conditions. Walcott will serve a four-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2016

His term expires December 31, 2016

Contact Information:
Fred Walcott
10692 White Birch
Allendale, MI 49401
616.895.4199 (Home)
616.895.7063 (Office)
e-mail: vvp@casair.net

Member, Bob Kennedy, St. Charles, Michigan

Bob Kennedy was appointed to the commission on January 11, 2011, by Governor Rick Snyder.
Kennedy is President and COO for Auburn Bean and Grain, which is a family owned company that services farmers in Saginaw, Bay, Midland, Gratiot, Shiawassee, Clinton, and surrounding counties handling all grain commodities and agronomy services, as well as products needed for crop production. With annual sales of $200 million, Auburn Bean and Grain employs 70 people full-time and has five locations.

Kennedy is a past board member and Chair of the Michigan Agri-business Association and has been employed in agri-business for the last 24 years.

Kennedy owns and lives on a small farm in Saginaw County with his wife and two children, and is an active hunter and fisherman. His term expires December 31, 2014.


Contact Information:
Bob Kennedy
7710 S. Chapin Road
St. Charles, Michigan 48655
989-643-5597 (Home)
989-662-4423 (Office)
989-662-2425 (Office Fax)
e-mail: bkennedy@abgco.net

I wanted to add this

bit.ly/kggaamp to see the proposed changes

or call them

MDARD's Environmental Stewardship Division at 517-284-5619 or toll free 877-632-1783

Everyone call and let it be know we need more time and public comment. Demand official comments and replies. It does not matter where you live. We are all citizens and stewards of our home.

I am concerned but also confused. I do not see any proposed changes.

I also do not think they will listen to me as I live in another state. Even so, this will bare watching

The law is 31 years old and reviewed annually. Could you point us at anything in particular? My brief review of the relevant Michigan Gov websites revealed a large volume of material to wade through. The issue is of high relevance to me, but my time to dig through and figure out what they are doing and what it means is limited.