Tag: Pigs

You can believe the well produced propaganda piece on Michigan's new-found prosperity, OR you can observe what has been happening to the men and women and families that feed us.  No amount of Rah-Rah for right to work (which I support tremendously) and budgets done on time can take away the rotten stink of tyranny that comes through our state's administrative efforts. As far as the bureaucratic 'rule makers' are concerned, the peasantry is far to pitiful to fear, except for a few trouble makers.

A few troublemakers, merely following tradition by doing what generations have done to make the country healthy and prosperous. Farmers, who like any other business that must inevitably deal with an onslaught of government intrusion into their affairs, making a mockery of presumed prophylactic and protective measures for the public good. Family Farmers, like other mom and pop business ventures who have had the oxygen sucked out of their existence by expansive government till they fall one by one.

Veteran Mark Baker of Baker's Green Acres is the equivalent of today's canary-in-the-coal-mine that is Michigan.  Except THIS bird isn't dying to tell you the oxygen has left the premises.

His words are straight up and easy to understand.

Snyder inherited this issue from the former governor.  When he was elected by a minority of Republicans, and faced a loonytunes SOB in the general "hired", there was a clear warning that this could hurt Michigan families, yet he ignored it.

via The Detroit News

Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Ron Boji of Orchard Lake and Craig DeNooyer of Kalamazoo to the Michigan Strategic Fund board of directors Monday.

The 11-member board promotes economic development and job creation by approving private activity bonds, authorizing community development block grant applications and acting as the fiduciary agent for the 21st Century Jobs Fund.

Boji is president of the Boji Group, where he oversees the management, development and leasing of space in the company's real estate portfolio.

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One Term Nerd

Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Fred Walcott, of Allendale, to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The five-member board provides executive direction for Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development programs. No more than three members may be from the same political party.

"Fred brings years of experience to the commission, and I am confident he will do great work on behalf of the people of Michigan in this role," said Snyder.

A lifelong farmer, Walcott works for Valley View Pork LLC. The 4,000-acre family farm produces hogs, corn, wheat and soybeans, and houses a weather station which monitors crop conditions. Walcott, a Republican, replaces Velmar Green.

Walcott will serve a four-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2016, and his appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Sounds benign enough, right?  And, it is until one finds out that Fred Walcott has lined his pockets with $934,078 of our tax dollars for his private profit.  It's just a got-damn shame that a guy trying to make a living without sponging off of taxpayers is greeted by State Police/DNR/Federal agent jackboots just to peacefully have his day in court while being stifled by the Attorney General's Office.

As a part of the process (ginned up by the big farming interests) Michigan government has used to take out the small farmer who cannot pay the protection money politicians require, the end is nigh. This particular issue is a tragedy, but not at all surprising as Agenda 21 sets in, and favored producers are enriched as a result.

Its a shame it is closing on a Republican watch.

FAIL.

Bakers Green Acres
1579 W Brinks Rd  McBain, MI 49657

Bakers is fighting OUR fight out there folks.

Rodney Stokes, the parks and rec guy appointed by Jennifer Granholm, and kept on board by Rick Snyder, misread the regulations his agency was responsible for, and this year finished the job of destroying family based operations which bred and marketed particular breeds of swine.  The DNR mislabeled captive swine with certain characteristics, as 'feral' and used that designation as causality to destroy them, or force destruction by the owner's hands directly.

All of this of course happened with nary a peep from the governor, who had more important issues to deal with than the systematic destruction of those family institutions which had operated for decades providing food, jobs, and game sport.

And NOW, as a bonus for his exemplary work destroying a way of life for so many breadwinners, Rodney Stokes will be given a job that has a chance to destroy a way of life for many many more.  From the MI News wire:

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today announced that Rodney Stokes will be the administration's point man on working with cities to help them become more vibrant and inviting by enhancing their existing resources. Stokes, who currently serves as Department of Natural Resources director, will leave that position to join the Executive Office.

"Michigan's cities are brimming with unique natural and man-made assets that can be cultivated in ways which attract families and visitors, retain talented workers, encourage investment and enhance our overall quality of life," Snyder said. "Rodney has the talent and experience to make that happen. His expertise in the areas of natural resources, outdoor recreation, policy development and civic engagement make him well suited to partner with cities in these efforts. A strong Michigan needs strong cities. Rodney's work will be key to that success and we're fortunate to have a person of his caliber at the forefront of this critical initiative."

This is getting as ugly as predicted.  One farmer writes:

"I was served a search warrant yesterday at 7: 45am.

After 8 guys 3 four wheelers, and 4 hours, DNR decided I was correct. I have killed all my hogs. They gave me papers that say I do not have any hogs on my property. All they saw were dead hogs laying around from my mass slaughtering. It took 12 guys 4 times in there to kill all of them, sows with young, Pregnant sows, dozens of piglets, and old mature boars. It has been a sad few weeks.

Does anyone know what it feels like to open fire on 20 baby piglets in one group which weigh between 5lbs and 15 lbs. They are so adorable and cute.

They commented to everyone that they never saw a fence built so tough and no way would a hog get out of this area. I trenched 2′ then installed chain link fencing, then a 10′ high tightlock fence on top of that. ( 200 acre area ) They never saw a fence like that."

Warrants served, without a day in court and exterminations of livestock ordered when there is no threat to ANYONE.  Strong walls, fences, containment, etc.  None of it matters to the goose stepping DNR masters of Michigan.  Consider this a vision of what is to come along with the [not so] slowly developing agenda 21 takings.

I thought it strange when the DNR spokesman talked about the singular "Expert" that was relied upon when deciding to end the livelihood of many small farmers in our state, but this next piece takes the cake. From the PPJ Gazette:

"On the Michigan DNR's website, when attempting to explain what it is doing about feral swine, it is stated that "The DNR has declared Sus Scrofa, one species of swine, an invasive species in Michigan. As such, possession of this species is now prohibited in Michigan. This was a move by Michigan DNR to join other states in the battle against feral swine, as well as to align with the National Invasive Species Laboratory's stance on feral swine." (emphasis mine)

There's just one thing!
There is no "National Invasive Species Laboratory."

Tis true. (I have saved a copy of the site in case it is removed) And as noted perhaps there is a similar sounding group, or something.  But even if it was the closest match, the forest service, tied in with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, well uhh...  The next question becomes "why is the DNR aligning itself with a UN creation?"

What gives Rick Snyder?  Is your DNR a little off the reservation lately, or is it all a part of the plan?

Folks, the fact that the state agency, on the heels of a dramatic issuance of great harm to our citizens, would back up that decision with a bogus institution should be troubling at the least.  If the agenda cannot be forwarded legitimately, is this the best they can do for pulling the non invasive wool over our eyes?

Feral swine are loose in the DNR.  Rutting out our forests of Business.  

This is NOT an April fools joke.

On Sunday, April 1, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources began active enforcement of an Invasive Species Order declaring certain types of swine illegal in Michigan.  Storm troopers under order of the DNR began a "pig sweep" to root out those with particular characteristics. As part of that effort on Tuesday, April 3 the department's Law Enforcement Division conducted inspections of six properties that in the past may have had prohibited swine. The inspections were conducted with permission of the landowners. Each of the properties was found to be free of prohibited swine and therefore in compliance with the Invasive Species Order.

Those facilities, farms or individuals still in possession of prohibited swine are in violation of the law and could face criminal or civil penalties under Part 413 of the state's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.  For harboring fugitive pigs. Randy Stokes, the DNR director says:

"Our intent from the beginning of this Invasive Species Order has been to enforce the law while minimizing the impact on individuals and livelihoods. For that reason, we provided additional time and assistance for ranch owners, breeders and others to remove prohibited animals from their properties prior to the April 1 enforcement deadline. The additional time allowed property owners to adjust their business plans to minimize economic hardship. We will continue to work cooperatively with property owners where we can."

Check.