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(Editor’s Note: OMP resident Lon Johnson has posted a petition on change.org regarding House Bill 4006, which he says would help Michigan farmers be more sustainable. Read about the Bill here and at the bottom of this story, and view/sign Lon’s petition here. Read on for his thoughts. -jb)
As a farmer deeply committed to sustaining my family farm here in Michigan, I find myself in a challenging position. The costs of maintaining our beloved property, coupled with the ever-increasing taxes, are making it difficult to continue our farming traditions.
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One simple way to alleviate this financial burden would be to leverage the vast and beautiful landscapes of our farm to host events. However, current regulations make it nearly impossible for farmers like me to use our own land for such purposes.
House Bill 4006 presents a vital change. This bill would allow farmers to host events on their property, opening new avenues for revenue generation. It offers farmers the opportunity to adapt to modern economic challenges by utilizing their land in a manner that complements their agricultural activities.
This is not just about making money; it’s about preserving the legacy of family farms across Michigan and ensuring that our agricultural lands remain productive and prosperous. The reality is stark; small to mid-sized farms like mine struggle against the tides of urban expansion and industrial agriculture.
House Bill 4006 can provide the lifeline these family-run farms so desperately need. It empowers us to innovate and sustain our agricultural communities by offering a viable solution that respects both our traditions and our future. Moreover, offering venues for events on farms not only benefits us as farmers but also enriches our communities by providing beautiful, natural settings for weddings, gatherings, and cultural celebrations. It allows the residents of Michigan to engage more directly with the farming lifestyle which is the backbone of our great state.
Urge our state legislators to recognize the importance of House Bill 4006. Supporting this bill means supporting the farmers who feed you, supporting Michigan’s rural economy, and helping sustain the charm and character of our agricultural communities. It means fostering an environment where family farms can flourish for generations to come.
Please contact State Representative Jerry Neyer, [email protected], and ask him to bring this bill to a vote. Please add your voice in support of Michigan farmers by signing this petition. Your signature can help change the tide for countless families and their ability to keep the farming tradition alive in our state.
Let’s ensure that Michigan remains a bastion of agricultural heritage and innovation.
– Lon Johnson, OMP resident
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Editor’s Note: According to this document…
“House Bill 4006 would amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to prohibit a local unit of government from adopting an ordinance that does not allow a barn or another facility located on a property zoned for agricultural use to be used as a commercial venue for weddings or other similar events.
“The bill would still allow for regulation of noise, advertising, traffic, hours of operation, or other conditions that accompany the use of the facilities or land. The bill would take effect 90 days after it is enacted into law.”
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Township could do this today if they wanted to help farmers. They don’t need a state law. But of course Becky and PTP would object because this is commercial ag not ag commercial whatever that means . The weird thing about this is people have weddings all the time in their yards. But god forbid a farmer would want to have one in his barn for money. I can hear it now from the hysterical PTP folks. There are 100 (fill in the blank) farms. Every farm would have two weddings a week at minimum that’s 100s (of course they would exaggerate it to 1000s) of weddings blah blah blah. Aren’t people tired of the same old saw.
The state should step in on this and other issues and take over regulation of agritourism.
Townships like OMP impede economic development of the peninsula that helps farmers. They have no interest in assisting farmers if it goes beyond the small stuff like signs, they align themselves with PTP a known anti farmer group. Hence the need for the state to step in.
I think the township needs to get off its high horse and meet with the wineries again and change the ordinances so everyone is happy. I’d rather see a vineyard than a subdivision on farm property. Sounds like the township wants the subdivision. The residents should have had a say in the earlier agreement instead of now worrying about how to pay the $50 million.