I can't help but to have the Beastie Boys' "Fight for you right" playing in my head while typing this.
First things first...Make sure you are "zoned" in your city/township/county to allow you to have the homesteading life you desire. This may seem like a silly sentence, but it is true. You can not farm or homestead just anywhere. Some areas have a certain acreage needed and some are" zoned agricultural". That is the best description to read in your deed....the legal allowance to live how you want to!
Certain areas also have a per square acre rule as far as farm animals go. Winged, hoofed, and horses all have different rules you have to follow.
On our property the only rules are pertaining to horses and since we are not going to be housing 30 or more horses on our property, we pass with flying colors.
We can have as many winged animals as we would like. Our love for goats and pigs are covered as well!
Animal housing and fencing is more than likely the same. Every area will have their own rules..do your research.
Our fencing should be as close to the property line as possible. While animals can roam our whole property and go up to the edge of every fence; their house has different rules.
The animal housing must be 40 feet from any of the property lines.
Also if your housing is a permanent structure or barn, remember you have to get a permit before you build.
All of our structures are made from pallet board and have no foundation, or they are deemed a temporary/mobile structure.
If you are planning to sell items from your farm or homestead there are a few topics you will want to research.
-Registering your farm into a business
(we are an LLC)
-Will you be inviting the public to your Farm?
-If so, and you live on a private road, make sure it is in your legal paper work/deed that you have access and rights to the road.
We do and have had to prove it.
-Do you need a farm stand or "store front"?
-Are you making "Cottage Foods" from your home?
If so there are many rules of what you can and cannot make/sell.
-Are you selling meat/produce/eggs from your farm?
There are also many rules for this as well.
While there are MANY other aspects that go into owning and running a Farm/Homestead...believe me; the major items to do research on are the legal ones.
The ones that tell you your rights, the rules to obey by, and then if you are confronted you have answers.
~THEN THERE IS THIS~
Michigan Right to Farm Act
The Michigan Right to Farm Act ("RTFA") is recognized nationally as model policy for resolving disputes that can arise between farms and neighboring residents when neighbors or local governments allege that practices on the farm constitute an actionable nuisance.
The Act protects farmers who voluntarily follow the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) from nuisance lawsuits over matters such as odor or farm dust so long as the farmers comply with GAAMPs that cover a variety of practices ranging from manure management to water use.
Is RTFA unconstitutional because it "takes away" rights from neighbors?
No. Courts have confirmed that the Michigan RTFA is Constitutional. All 50 states have Right to Farm statutes, and only one state, Iowa, has had its RTFA ruled as unconstitutional. However, the Iowa Bormann decision was the result of a law that was structured quite differently than Michigan's RTFA.
We've been personally told by our officials to recite "Right to farm act" to anyone that questions the farm because they know we are with in all of our rights/rules outlined by the township/county. We are in ordinance.
Just remember to do your research!!!
I HAVE A FILLED NOTEBOOK
Have your basis covered and talk to all local, township/county personnel.
We did and have; it was the best safety net we could have made for ourselves.
When you aren't doing anything illegal and you are in good standing/ communication with the local officials, it makes complaints easily dismiss-able.
Unfortunately while this may be you or your family's dream, it is not others. You are not going to make everyone happy. You may be concerned with all of the additives in food these days, where your food comes from or trying to fix a Covid related food shortage in your area.
Others may not see these same views or the importance of them.
If you can offer your community a place to play, do activities, buy a sweet, buy some produce, learn about/play with animals, or just to be able to spend time outside: just know we are on your side and we think you are awesome!!!!!!!(that is our goal too)You may lose a few people but make many others very happy!
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