Sep 17, 2017

Judge: Farmer banned from city market may return

A federal district judge Friday, Sept. 15, issued a preliminary injunction against the city of East Lansing, Michigan that allows a nearby Charlotte farmer to return to the city’s farmers market for the remainder of the 2017 season.

That could happen as soon as Sunday, Sept. 17, according to a report from the Lansing State Journal.

Country Mill owner Steve Tennes sued the city earlier this year after it banned him from the market over his decision last year to refuse to hold same-sex weddings at his farm and orchard near Charlotte.

Tennes said he intends to sell his wares at the East Lansing market beginning this Sunday. The orchard was in contact with city officials on Friday to make those arrangements, an attorney for Tennes said.

City officials said in a news release they will consider seeking an appeal and a stay of the ruling.

“In the meantime, the city will comply with the ruling … and urges those who may also be disappointed in the ruling to respect the court’s decision,” the release said.

According to the State Journal story:

“We are looking forward to returning back to the East Lansing Farmer’s Market immediately and serving all of our customers there, as we have for the past seven years,” Tennes said in a telephone interview. “We are looking forward to reconnecting with customers and increasing the availability of locally grown, organic apples and cider.”

For more on the story, visit here.

For a report on Country Mill’s return to the East Lansing farmers’ market, visit here.