Right to farm wins out in Michigan

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

In Michigan, a Marquette County Circuit Court judge ruled that a family can continue raising 150 chickens and eight sheep on their 5.6 acre property even though it is not zoned as a farm. The state's Right to Farm law has precedence over local zoning, the judge ruled.

According to a statement issued by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, "Michigan's Right to Farm Act contains a broad and clear edict stating that commercial farms that conform to applicable Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) are not subject to nuisance suits."

Forsyth Township had argued the "farm" was in a "lake residential district," the most lucrative in terms of tax.

According to the news release, Randy and Libby Buchler sell eggs and wool produced on the farm. The Legal Defense Fund "defends the rights and broadens the freedoms of family farms and artisan food producers while protecting consumer access to raw milk and nutrient dense foods." BF