MI Commission of Ag and Rural Development Approve 2025 GAAMPs – Michigan Courts

Sustainable Development Goals and Farm Markets in Peninsula Township

Introduction

At the August 13 regular meeting of the Peninsula Township Board, the Board went into closed session [pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(h)] to consult with the township attorney regarding a confidential legal opinion pertaining to the Michigan Right to Farm Act and Farm Markets in the township.

Board Decision and Support for Draft 2025 Farm Market GAAMPs

Upon their return to open session, the Board approved a motion — made by Becky Chown and seconded by Rudy Rudolph — “to authorize the township supervisor and attorney to provide feedback on the Draft 2025 Farm Market GAAMPs to the MDARD commission” (MDARD: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; GAAMPs: Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices).

The Township sent a letter to MDARD supporting the 2025 Draft as written (view the 2025 Draft here), but also suggested more clarification as to how local zoning and regulatory authority interplay with the Right to Farm Act and the GAAMPs.

Challenges and Lawsuits Impacting the Right to Farm Act

The Township’s letter mentioned two lawsuits — “Family Orchards, LLC v. Peninsula Township” and “Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula v. Peninsula Township” — that impact the Right to Farm Act and whether “marketing” activities under the Farm Market GAAMPs are preempted from local regulation.

In the “Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula v. Peninsula Township” trial, the wineries’ expert witness alleged that certain activities, such as tours, U-pick operations with food, weddings, merchandise sales, tasting room activities, bed and breakfast operations, cooking classes, and wine sales, were preempted from local regulation as “marketing” activities under the Farm Market GAAMPs of the Right to Farm Act.

Importance of Local Land Use Regulation and Support for Draft 2025 Farm Market GAAMPs

The Township emphasized the importance of local land use regulation in partnership with the Farm Market GAAMPs to regulate and preserve agricultural land. They expressed support for the draft 2025 Farm Market GAAMPs language that provides more clarity on how local zoning and regulatory authority interact with the Right to Farm Act and the GAAMPs. The Township believes that this language will aid rural agricultural townships, like Peninsula Township, in regulating in a way that supports agricultural preservation, limits incompatible commercialization, and is consistent with state statutory requirements.

Conclusion

The Township’s letter concluded by expressing gratitude for the inclusion of draft language referencing local authority in the 2025 Farm Market GAAMPs. They believe that this language will reduce conflict and confusion regarding the interpretation of the Right to Farm Act and ensure that townships can regulate in conformity with the requirements of the Act while managing and preserving agricultural land.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The issues highlighted in the article are related to agriculture, land use, and local regulations, which are connected to the SDGs mentioned above. SDG 2 focuses on ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, which includes considering agricultural preservation and land use planning. SDG 12 promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns, which can be influenced by local regulations on farm markets. SDG 15 focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, which includes agricultural land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, and fishers.
• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

Based on the article’s content, these targets are relevant as they relate to improving agricultural productivity and incomes, promoting sustainable urbanization and land use planning, achieving sustainable resource management, and integrating ecosystem values into planning and development processes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:

• Indicator 2.3.1: Average income of small-scale food producers, by sex and indigenous status.
• Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.
• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
• Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

These indicators can be used to measure the average income of small-scale food producers, the rate of land consumption compared to population growth, the material footprint of consumption, and progress towards national biodiversity targets.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oldmission.net