Hi Jamie,

We have a number of resources and individuals that can help you with several of the items you listed.  I'll start with the resources that can offer some guidance and then add in some contacts within MSU Extension that can help with further questions.

For starting a farm, there's several well written articles that highlight some key things.  First is Basic steps in establishing a farm business - MSU Extension that provides an overview of several things to look into when starting out.  One of the items listed in that article is related to sales tax exemption, which is covered in more detail in this article: Michigan sales tax and farm exemption - Farm Management (msu.edu).  

Rules and regulations will depend largely on the type of agriculture you're looking to operate within. There are some universal regulations for both crops and livestock, but each also have their differences.  Especially as you get into production practices, markets you sell to, etc.  A lot of that information is covered by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)'s Right to Farm area: MDARD - Right to Farm (michigan.gov).  

For zoning, we have a bulletin that walks through some of the initial questions and considerations of what you may find in your local area: Introduction to Zoning and Taxation. We also have a website that lists a number of educational resources related to land use: Land Use Education Services (msu.edu).

Land obtainment is always a tricky part of starting a farm business.  Both finding it and negotiating to either purchase or rent that property. In terms of finding the property, there are some websites that exist where property is listed. An example is MIFarmLink where properties are listed, and inquiries can be made about what's been listed within the site.

We also have some websites that are specific to beginning farmers or new managers/decision-makers in farming.  

Beginning Farmer (msu.edu) is our index of all things related to beginning farmer content. We have a number of different categories or topic areas that we've tried to organize the content into. You can find articles, events, online courses, videos, and much more there.

DEMaND (msu.edu) is a program designed around specific business and financial related topics.  Depending on what you're looking for or interested in, we may have something there that can help answer questions or give you some guidance. 

MSU Extension contacts:

For zoning, we also have educators that work specifically in land use that could better answer those questions. Brad Neumann MS, AICP (msu.edu) is actual the author of the bulletin I listed earlier and is a great source to speak to on zoning related matters.  

Questions related to Right to Farm can not only be directed to MDARD directly, but we do have an educator that can also help answer questions. Sarah Fronczak (msu.edu) is our Environmental Management Educator and may be able to help navigate the questions you have.

Questions pertaining to production practices can be directed to educators who work on various production work teams within MSU Extension. Each of those teams has a website with their contact information and additional resources: Agriculture (msu.edu). For example, if you're interested in growing vegetables, we have a Vegetable Team with several educators across the state listed under "Experts" on the page.

For all other things related to farm business, we have several Farm Business Management educators that work across the state. That's my primary role within MSU Extension. I see you're in Kalamazoo County, which is one of several counties that I cover. I'd be happy to sit down and go through any questions you have about many of these topics.