New Year, New Office, New Plan

Big and exciting things have happened on the farm this week.... our office addition is ready for move-in!!  In April of last year we decided to expand the office (there were more people than desks) and after all of the delays due to rain on foundation pouring days, harvest, illnesses, hunting season, and all the other things that can go wrong on a construction project, we are finally starting to get settled.  The window trim still needs to go up, and a few other odds and ends, but I now have my own desk to work at, so I am not complaining.

(My new desk, complete with a kitty house... not quite put away yet)

The other big project I personally have been working on is the siting plan for our new inside gestation barn we are hoping to put up this spring.  Friday I was able to send the plan into the state, and it was so relieving to have that project off of my shoulders.  For anyone unfamiliar with the siting requirements in Michigan, livestock farmers have a set of guidelines for building a new livestock facility, or expanding an old one.  We are actually reducing the number of animals on the farm, but the siting plan process is a really thorough way to check for potential problems.  The plan must include all items off of a 4 page checklist (and it's really tiny print!) in order for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) to review the request and approve the site.

(Siting plan complete!)

When making the plan, I have to figure out what the impact of the building will be on the land as far as erosion, soil types, nutrient analysis, and possible crop farming uses.  I then review the impact on the watershed, wetlands, rivers, streams, drains, storm waters, and well records and maps.  Odor and manure management make up about half of the plan requirements, with a wind odor print taken to make sure the barn won't create too much stink for the neighbors ("too much"  is odor that can be smelled more than 5% of the time, or 18 days a year).  In the manure management portion, I look at the amount of farmland we have to utilize the manure as fertilizer, and see if the new facility can work into our system,  This is one of the most important parts of the plan for the farm to use.  I also submit an engineer's blueprint and a outline of current utilities on the property, so MDARD can analyze construction plans and placement decisions.  I work with the local zoning officials in the township to figure out further permitting that I will need.

This isn't just something for hog farms, but any livestock farms.  It isn't optional.  It is a lot of work, but it gives farmers protection and shows that we are following the rules.  It gives us guidelines for working with neighbors. We are doing our homework, checking our lists, and having conversations about conservation and our environment.