Urban Farming Is Not a Crime! Tell Michigan Not to Ban It

Urban Farming Is Not a Crime! Tell Michigan Not to Ban It

The Issue

The Michigan Right to Farm Act (1981) insulates farmers from nuisance lawsuits and generally protects those who grow and sell their own food. In September, House Bill 6458 was introduced to specifically exclude urban farmers from the Right to Farm Act. This would impact communities with more than 900,000 residents such as Detroit, communities full of impoverished and working class people who have every right to grow, barter, and give away their own food.

House Bill 6458 will exacerbate the struggles of urban farmers and community supported agriculture, two things that greatly help the urban poor and working class. At a time when the Detroit unemployment rate is nearly one in four (25.5%), penalizing those who grow their own food is appalling.

Please ask Michigan representatives to vote against HB 6458! Tell MI representatives that urban farming and gardening is not a crime.

Photo credit: David Barrie

avatar of the starter
Brittany ShootPetition StarterI'm a freelance writer, editor, and critic. I'm one of the editors of Elevate Difference, a frequent contributor to a variety of progressive publications including Bitch and RH Reality Check, and my work has been republished by The New York Times and ZNet. My writing often focuses on gender equity, the environment, food, animal rights, and class disparities in the U.S. I'm a former writer for both the Poverty in America and Women's Rights causes.
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This petition had 1,184 supporters

The Issue

The Michigan Right to Farm Act (1981) insulates farmers from nuisance lawsuits and generally protects those who grow and sell their own food. In September, House Bill 6458 was introduced to specifically exclude urban farmers from the Right to Farm Act. This would impact communities with more than 900,000 residents such as Detroit, communities full of impoverished and working class people who have every right to grow, barter, and give away their own food.

House Bill 6458 will exacerbate the struggles of urban farmers and community supported agriculture, two things that greatly help the urban poor and working class. At a time when the Detroit unemployment rate is nearly one in four (25.5%), penalizing those who grow their own food is appalling.

Please ask Michigan representatives to vote against HB 6458! Tell MI representatives that urban farming and gardening is not a crime.

Photo credit: David Barrie

avatar of the starter
Brittany ShootPetition StarterI'm a freelance writer, editor, and critic. I'm one of the editors of Elevate Difference, a frequent contributor to a variety of progressive publications including Bitch and RH Reality Check, and my work has been republished by The New York Times and ZNet. My writing often focuses on gender equity, the environment, food, animal rights, and class disparities in the U.S. I'm a former writer for both the Poverty in America and Women's Rights causes.
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Andy Dillon
Andy Dillon
Michigan Speaker of the House
Pam Byrnes
Pam Byrnes
Speaker Pro Tempore
Kathy Angerer
Kathy Angerer
Majority Floor Leader
Kevin Elsenheimer
Kevin Elsenheimer
Minority Leader
Dave Hildenbrand
Dave Hildenbrand
Minority Floor Leader

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Petition created on October 6, 2010