Page 94 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

5 departments.
6 We strongly support this historical commission system
7 of government. Commissions should provide oversight and
8 set policy for the department, conduct appeals, and employ
9 the director. The historical commission system allowed for
10 continuity, transparency and accountability of programs.
11 We support restoring all duties of the Agriculture and
12 Natural Resources Commissions, including the ability to
13 employ the director.
14 Future appointees to the Natural Resources
15 Commission should be balanced, not only in their
16 passion for outdoor recreation, but also with regard to
17 the ecological and business environments of the State.
18 A farmer representative from production agriculture
19 should continue to be on the Natural Resources
20 Commission.
21 Furthermore, we insist the Michigan Legislature or
22 Governor create a commission for the Department of
23 Environmental Quality. We urge appointments to
24 include agricultural representation in proportion to other
25 interests and follow guidelines similar to those listed
26 above. 
#10 DIRECT FARM MARKETING AND AGRI-TOURISM
Agritourism is the intersection of tourism and agriculture.
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We Support:
Legislation defining agritourism as: Activities on the
farm that may or may not be directly related to the farm operation, conducted for the purpose of increasing income for the farm business, but does not change the general intent of the farm operation.
Legislation defining seasonal agritourism as: Specific agricultural activities that are exempt from building code regulations when the revenue generated is a minority of the revenue generated on the farm business or occurs less than six months per calendar year. This does not prohibit local governments from enacting reasonable hour, noise and parking regulations.
Local zoning ordinances that recognize the benefits and allow for the operation of farm markets, roadside stands, agritourism destinations and farmers markets that allow for the placement of these activities on agricultural zoned land without a special use permit. We do not believe a city, township or other local agency can restrict or mandate the size of what a farm market/roadside stand is.
Michigan zoning authorities adopting the farmer
State Policies – Page 8