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Under MCL 324.3601, certain farmland in Michigan may be enrolled in a development rights program by which the owner may receive state income tax credits for property taxes paid. To be eligible, the farm must be at least five acres in size and 51% or more of the property must be committed to an agricultural use.

How does the landowner apply for enrollment? Program forms are available at .michigan.gov/farmland. Completed applications must be submitted to the clerk of a local governing body (i.e., city, village, township, or county) for review. The local governing body has 45 days to approve or reject the application.

(h) "Farmland" means 1 or more of the following: (i) A farm of 40 or more acres in 1 ownership, with 51% or more of the land area devoted to an agricultural use.

What are GAAMPs? Mandated by the Michigan Right-to-Farm Act (Act 93 of 1981, as amended), generally accepted agricultural and management practices (GAAMPs) are written standards providing uniform, science-based standards and acceptable management practices.

(1) A farm or farm operation shall not be found to be a public or private nuisance if the farm or farm operation alleged to be a nuisance conforms to generally accepted agricultural and management practices ing to policy determined by the Michigan commission of agriculture.

How does the landowner apply for enrollment? Program forms are available at .michigan.gov/farmland. Completed applications must be submitted to the clerk of a local governing body (i.e., city, village, township, or county) for review.

Under MCL 324.3601, certain farmland in Michigan may be enrolled in a development rights program by which the owner may receive state income tax credits for property taxes paid. To be eligible, the farm must be at least five acres in size and 51% or more of the property must be committed to an agricultural use.

The lake (lacustrine) plains, which are typical of Saginaw, Huron, Monroe and other counties bordering lakes Huron and Erie, comprise our richest agricultural lands, but they require drainage and careful handling.

Michigan Right to Farm Act The Act protects farmers who voluntarily follow the Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPs) from nuisance lawsuits over matters such as odor or dust so long as the farmers comply with a variety of practices ranging from manure management to water use.