Jul 30, 2021

Michigan seeking public input on agricultural management practices

The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced July 30 the annual review period for the proposed drafts of the 2022 Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices.

Comments will be accepted via email, mail and a virtual public meeting scheduled for Aug. 25, 2021.

The Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) are reviewed each year by committees comprised of various experts and revised or updated, as necessary. All proposed GAAMPs changes are reviewed and approved by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.

All eight GAAMPs are available for public comment; Manure Management and Utilization; Care of Farm Animals; Site Selection and Odor Control for New and Expanding Livestock Facilities; Farm Markets; Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control; Nutrient Utilization; Cranberry Production; and Irrigation Water Use.

MDARD will forward all comments received by the due date to the respective GAAMPs Task Force Committee Chairpersons for consideration prior to final review and presentation to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development at the Sept. 15, 2021 meeting.

The proposed draft GAAMPS will be available for public review and comment until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, at Michigan.gov/RightToFarm. Comments are accepted by:

• Email to [email protected]
• Mail to MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 and postmarked no later than August 23, 2021.
• Call into the public input meeting on August 25, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting or call 248-509-0316 and enter Conference ID: 736 004 915#

For a copy of any of these GAAMPs including the proposed revisions, please visit Michigan.gov/RightToFarm, or contact the MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division at 517-284-5619, or toll free at 877-632-1783.