We support economic development practices to accept agricultural businesses as part of urban centers. We support the development of agreements that allow urban agricultural production, but also protect the rights of farm businesses with production sites within Michigan municipalities.
We support developing management practices unique to new and expanding urban agriculture, which includes livestock care standards, crops and cropping standards, and environmental protection standards. For food safety reasons, all rules, regulations and licenses should be applicable to urban agriculture. We applaud recommendations of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Urban Livestock Workgroup as an important first step in this process.
We support Michigan Farm Bureau’s continued collaboration with MDARD, Michigan State University Extension and other stakeholders to write a model local ordinance to promote protection of and guidelines for urban agriculture.
Right to Farm protections for commercial agricultural practices must not be compromised.