The Michigan Commission of Agriculture and the Michigan Department of Agriculture has set a Public Input Meeting and review period for Sept. 29, to gather comments on the 2011 drafts of the state's Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices. 

Public comment will be taken on the following GAAMPs: Care of Farm Animals, Cranberry Production, Farm Markets, and Irrigation Water Use.  The GAAMPs regarding Manure Management, Nutrient Utilization, and Pesticide Utilization and Pest Control have no proposed changes for 2011. The Site Selection GAAMP is currently under review by the scientific committee and a public meeting will be scheduled upon the completion of the review process.

The GAAMPs Public Input Meeting is at 2 p.m. Wed., Sept. 29, in the Guyer Conference Room at MDA's Geagley Laboratory, 1615 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing.

Written comments may be submitted to MDA's Environmental Stewardship Division, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 and postmarked no later than Sept. 29, or sent via e-mail to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Sept. 29.  MDA will forward all comments received by the due date to the respective GAAMPs Task Force chairpersons for consideration prior to final review and adoption.

The Michigan Right to Farm Act provides nuisance protection for farms and farm operations.  In order to have this protection, the farm or farm operation must conform to GAAMPs, which are set by the Michigan Commission of Agriculture.  These GAAMPs are reviewed annually by scientific committees of various experts, and revised and updated as necessary.  Public comment is accepted and considered before final versions of the GAAMPs are approved. 

For a copy of any of these GAAMPs including the proposed revisions, please visit www.michigan.gov/gaamps, or contact the MDA's Environmental Stewardship Division at (517) 373-9797, or toll free at (877) 632-1783.