On Tuesday, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced the annual review period for the proposed drafts of the 2021 Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs). Comments will be accepted via email, mail and a virtual public meeting that is scheduled for October 1, 2020.
The 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.
Public comment will be taken on proposed changes to the following GAAMPs: Manure Management and Utilization; Care of Farm Animals; Site Selection and Odor Control for New and Expanding Livestock Facilities; and Farm Markets. The GAAMPs regarding Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control; Nutrient Utilization; Cranberry Production; and Irrigation Water Use have no proposed changes for 2021.
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 November 5, 2020 meeting.
The proposed draft GAAMPS will be available for public review and comment until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at www.Michigan.gov/RighttoFarm. Comments are accepted by:
- Email to MDARD-RTF@Michigan.gov
- Mail to MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 and postmarked no later than October 7, 2020.
- Call into the public input meeting on October 1, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting or call 248-509-0316 and enter Conference ID: 599 584 55#
For a copy of any of these GAAMPs including the proposed revisions, please visit www.Michigan.gov/RighttoFarm, or contact the MDARD’s Environmental Stewardship Division at 517- 284-5619, or toll free at 877-632-1783.
