COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Soil Friends LLC is suing Comstock Township and township officials in federal court over alleged constitutional and civil rights violations.

Farm co-owner Benjamin Martin says they had a cider tasting room permit that was issued in 2018 but the township got a compliance order from the Kalamazoo County District Court last December to shut it down saying its operations were not up to code.

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In a statement last year, the township said to qualify as a farm market, according to the state, at least 50% of the items offered for sale on the farm must be grown on the farm.  Martin says Township Supervisor Randy Thompson told them to stop criticizing the township on Facebook and said those would cause more issues with them seeking special exception use permits.

The farm is asking for compensation for damages including lost profits and attorney fees and no court date has been set.