Monday, May 5, 2014

Michigan Takes Away the “Right to Farm” in the Suburbs

Daisy Luther
Activist Post

The War on Self-Sufficiency continues, and this week’s victims are small backyard farmers in Michigan.

The “right to farm” in that state no longer exists for those who live on any property where there are 13 homes within one eighth mile or a residence within 250 feet of the property. This means that the folks who have a couple of goats, chickens, beehives, or rabbits living harmoniously in their suburban backyards are at the mercy of their local governments and their neighbors. The “right to farm” laws that are on the books originally came about when city dwellers moved to the country and complained about their rural surroundings – things like smells and animal noises. However, the law has protected many people since then who just want some freedom from the system, whether they have a couple of acres or a suburban backyard.