| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 01 2011 : 07:31:39 AM
Note: I updated this topic at the very end with a link to the (hopefully) final chapter in the Julie Bass story.
I could not believe this when I heard it on the news the other day. With all the discussion about urban farming in Detroit (the local paper just had a full-page article about it last week!) the city of Oak Park has charged Julie Bass with a misdemeanor because she has a very neat group of raised bed gardens in her front lawn. She's going to have to go to court!
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/julie-bass-of-oak-park-faces-misdemeanor-charge-for-vegetable-garden-20110630-wpms
Slow Food International has posted the city planner's email address on Facebook. It is krulkowski@ci.oak-park.mi.us, if you would like to write and give him your opinion.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Aug 03 2011 : 7:14:52 PM
Me too!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 31 2011 : 2:47:34 PM
That is fantastic!! I am so glad that the charges were dismissed!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 31 2011 : 10:32:09 AM
All charges have been dropped, including the dog license ones. I'm sorry I didn't post this earlier this week but had a REALLY exhausting week at work, 10 hour days plus my usual commute. Didn't even open up the computer at home.
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/oak-park-gardener-cleared-of-charges-for-growing-front-yard-vegetable-garden_20110727_dk
It actually sounds like a happy ending. It remains to be seen how Oak Park will change their ordinances over the next few years!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 25 2011 : 7:30:59 PM
Geez, I was not aware of any media coverage. I guess I missed the media coverage since I intentionally stay away from conservative talk show radio ESPECIALLY Rush Limbaugh who I find to be especially divisive.
It is time for citizens to come together to reclaim their Constitutional and God-given rights and not align themselves with political parties.
Liberals and libertarians have a lot in common.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Jul 25 2011 : 2:56:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Alee
The Dollarhite issue got quite a bit of national attention earlier this spring and they are quickly coming up on their deadline too:
http://biggovernment.com/bmccarty/2011/07/18/missouri-rabbit-raiser-responds-to-usda-proposal/
I hope they win- what happened in their case was absolutely ridiculous. Seriously- there are bigger issues to be dealing with! I wish the government would work on dealing with those issues and not work over small families trying to raise some wholesome food.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
I looked this up today because I was still concerned about it (I'm planning to move to SW missouri and my 8 year old daughter is already planning to do something like this.)
A congresswoman (Or senator, not sure) negotiated with the USDA and got them to drop and waive all charges on the condition that the family cease the entire rabbit business, dispose of or sterilize all rabbits in their possesion and waive their right to EVER apply for a USDA license (presumably to sell rabbits).
Its not the outcome I would have hoped for but I am sure the family is relieved and content to never breed a bunny again.
It seems that the trouble they ran into was not the fact that un-inspected food rabbits were being sold, but that pets were being sold across state lines. In other words the family was in compliance to sell any animals they wanted for meat, but the problem was they did not buy an interstate commercial license.
Lesson learned gals, get your money making venture planned out, then check with your cooperative extension office to compare your plan with the laws and make sure that your venture is limited to the confines of the law to keep big brother's nose out of it.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 25 2011 : 06:30:24 AM
The Dollarhite issue got quite a bit of national attention earlier this spring and they are quickly coming up on their deadline too:
http://biggovernment.com/bmccarty/2011/07/18/missouri-rabbit-raiser-responds-to-usda-proposal/
I hope they win- what happened in their case was absolutely ridiculous. Seriously- there are bigger issues to be dealing with! I wish the government would work on dealing with those issues and not work over small families trying to raise some wholesome food.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 10:58:53 AM
I just learned of the Dollarhite family in Nixa, MO who is being fined by the USDA $4 million dollars because over a period of several years, his teenage son raised rabbits and sold them locally. without a license. They only grossed about $4000 on the whole operation.
What is going on? Are we losing our rights to grown food for ourselves and our neighbors?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 24 2011 : 02:55:09 AM
It seems they are "spinning" this news story. Neighboring city of Royal Oak newspaper seems to take the "other" side.
http://www.dailytribune.com/articles/2011/07/21/opinion/srv0000012629009.txt?viewmode=default
I think Julie still needs support... I can't imagine how this is affecting her family life.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jul 23 2011 : 11:28:16 AM
They would have their hands full in Pennsylvania. There are so many Amish who use their front yards for gardening. :)
farmgirl sister#43
O, a trouble's a ton or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it!
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only--how did you take it?
--Edmund C. Vance.
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 21 2011 : 8:17:45 PM
But if I understand what she has said on her blog already, she actually has already corrected the dog licensing situation AND gone to court to prove it. It is almost like double jeopardy. On facebook today someone said that the city said they "lost" her dog license records, they cannot be found, so she has to go to court to present her documents once again.
This sounds idiotic to me.
In my hometown, the COUNTY, not the city, processes dog licenses. But we were not so populous as Detroit metro area... I think I read that Oak Park has 29,000 people and my county probably had 150,000.
It seems like Oakland county could save some money by consolidating its animal licensing at the county level, but is there a central Oakland County "hub"?
I live in Macomb County and I think most of the county offices are in Mount Clemens or around the Henry Ford Hospital area on 19-mile Road. What town is that, Clinton Township? having just moved here I am clueless.
Ohio's government structure is a lot different than Michigan's, for sure
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Prairie Gypsy |
Posted - Jul 21 2011 : 06:22:05 AM
I live two towns over from her and this is scary. It's great that they aren't prosecuting her for the garden BUT the failure to license her dog is also a misdemeaner which carries the same 93 days in jail sentence with it - convenient don't you think? They also didn't cite her for the dog license violation until someone went through the city's paperwork and discovered that the dog wasn't licensed and cited her AFTER they decided not to continue with the gardening misdemeaner. IMHO they're going to fine her for something irregardless and possibly jail her just for spite.
The desperation of the towns and cities here for money is unbelievable and hard for others that don't live here to imagine. Detroit this year in their desperation put up "No Standing" signs down a section of Jefferson Ave. where a lot of people park for the 4th of July fireworks and claimed that it's the same thing as a "No Parking" sign. They were not only ticketing all those cars that for 20+ years have parked there, but were having them towed and inpounding them so they could get even more money with inpounding fees. One tow truck driver said they were told by the police that there was a "quota" they had to fill that night. The little stunt may have brought in money this year but in upcoming years is going to cost them revenue for the city and businesses because people aren't going to come back.
Farmgirl Sister # 2363
http://twilightburrough.blogspot.com/
Warren, MI
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| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 21 2011 : 04:54:51 AM
This just speaks to how nuts the masses have become. I guess when there is little food out there they might reconsider how stupid most of their ideas are - with the heat this year it is getting tight I guess folks will be finding recipes to eat their chemically ladened grass in their yard... Other countries are giving tax breaks and money for folks to raise food in their space even if it is on a roof, balcony and window box and we want to fine and jail folks - We are a country of reality based lazy people. Sorry but I have been up since 3 am to beat the heat.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 20 2011 : 8:38:49 PM
I think right now she is just waiting until the originally scheduled court date - was it July 26 or July 29? - to make sure that the charges are really dismissed adn the city of Oak Park is not just playing a game with her.
In the regularly scheduled city council meeting this month, the mayor actually complimented the city planner for his handling of the case. The city planner said that he had deleted all the "spam" that he got in protest of Julie's arrest.
I wonder how many actual Oak Park residents' emails he also deleted? Crazy. I see it as the Tea Party (Julie) against the fat cats (city planners) of course I am not of that political persuasion so I don't know if that is a correct assumption or not...
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Jul 16 2011 : 1:58:15 PM
If you look back in history during WW11 our president encouraged what was called victory gardens that were in the front & side yards to help families provide healthy vegs ect with all the shortages that were happening all across america....It wasn't until after WW11 that communities created the modern subdivision & fancy all grass lawns became the norm in the middle class & gardens were moved to the back or side areas away from the eyes of neighbors....you would think someone would have mentioned this to this city & that now is the perfect time to re-invent them as food is becoming more expensive to truck,ship or railway...and by families having these gardens it benefits more than the family...less sick days for the children, less missed school or work,more exercise for the ones who actually tend to the gardens...Vit D being gotten from the sun & fresh air instead of in front of the TV.and one big benefit these families are teaching their children something important, how to fed themselves for little money.....I love the comment about the vegs blooming...we have had so much rain my basil got to the size of lettuce & is now blooming pretty little purple flowers....1st time I have ever seen one bloom...pretty cool...so even though I can't use the basil, (did you know it is super scratchy when over size? reminds me of thistles) now I will get the seeds for next year & hope we have a sunnier summer...:)...Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| MEWolf |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 6:24:59 PM
Yay! I am so glad they dropped the charges against her...I know hundreds of folks sent messages to the Oak Park City officials LOL...common sense ruled the day and the "little girl" wins!
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882)
Farmgirl #3020
www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 3:40:14 PM
I read about another town changing their ordinance in light of all this to include growing vegetables in your yard. It's a smart move even if their motivation is to keep away bad publicity. I wouldn't expect to see front yard gardens suddenly popping up everywhere. I think Bass' situation was related to drainage and best spot for a garden. Most people will continue to garden in their backyard where they can keep an eye on protecting their garden from loose animals, vandals, or thieves.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 2:29:21 PM
Man. While the case in BC is still ridiculous, I'm glad they dropped the case against the girl in Oak Park. I know of a few "Guerilla gardeners" that go throw "Seed bombs" in vacant lots to bloom...it's sad we have to resort to that to beautify our neighborhoods.
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| 22angel |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 10:38:40 AM
There is a case similar to that up here in BC. It's ridiculous. The land/yard went from a wasteland to a productive useful beautiful adventure.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/07/bc-man-faces-six-months-in-jail-for-growing-food.php
Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself. |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 05:09:43 AM
Yay!!! That is great news! Cities across the country need to realize we are entering a new era where homegrown food is going to become much more normal. I was just speaking with a friend of mine about how we feel a bit behind the curve because a lot of the knoweledge about food and plants that was normal a hundred years ago- has faded for most families. That's why I am so glad to be learning these things again!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jul 15 2011 : 01:56:59 AM
Update: They've dismissed the charges for the vegetables, but are still making her come to court about the previously unlicensed dog they found on their first visit. (She got the license right away-- he's in the video, and looks like a pup.)
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/oak-park-drops-charges-against-julie-bass-and-her-vegetable-garden_20110714_dk
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 10:30:02 PM
That would be good about HOA's I think they are nuts, I would never move into one, I just couldn't handle it!
One my aunt lives in even has to approve the colors you paint INside the house! Cause you have windows and they can see in! And only want to see certain colors! Any work you do to INside the house has to be approved as well for the same reasons! And I'm thinking isn't being a peeping tom illegal? WEIRD!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 9:44:36 PM
Barbara you're a wild one!
I think it's a clash of ideas. The "green" thinking is going to win in the end. The days of perfectly manicured lawns that serve no other purpose than ornamental decoration are coming to an end. It's ridiculous knowing how many people need food and you know what the BIGGEST crop grown in this country is? Lawn.
Our state is about to pass some regulations on HOA's. They've become overreaching. Some of their "rules" are unconstitutional. Even if a person signs an agreement, it doesn't mean those rules can actually be enforced if it goes against a person's constitutional rights.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| craftystranger |
Posted - Jul 07 2011 : 6:26:19 PM
I just left a post on her blog. This is just about the craziest thing that I have heard. I will also be following along. I guess the people or person that made the original complaint has a golf like lawn and well behaved trees. You know the ones where the leaves all fall in a perfect pile. All I can say is thank goodness for stupid people ...... They make me feel like a rocket scientist. I'm going to plant some herbs in my front yard this weekend. I am such a dare devil....LOL
Don't forget to laugh! |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Jul 05 2011 : 06:26:29 AM
Please tell me this is a joke. I know. I read the news reports. I read her blog. But surely, someone down at City Hall is either joking, or completely lost his mind. For his (or her) information, vegetables in the front yard ARE common! My raised bed is less than 50 yards from my road. Of course, I'll admit, I don't live in a city or town, but it's still 'common'. In Shreveport, many of my neighbors incorporated vegetables with their flowers. And, y'all are right -- urban gardening is such a hot push right now that a front yard veggie bed will be in at least half the houses in neighborhoods before long. I wish we were all eligible to vote on that -- at best, I wish I could be on the jury. After all, if they choose the jury correctly, it will be a jury of HER peers -- and her peers would all be farmgirls!
from the hearts of paradise...
1Thess. 4:11 |
| smiley |
Posted - Jul 04 2011 : 07:13:07 AM
What is happenig to us? I hope she wins her fight and has so much support something this stupid doesnt happen again! |
