10/10/2026
Official Statement from the Owosso Farmers Market Regarding October 10:
We would like to address an incident that occurred at this morning's farmers market and correct misinformation that is now circulating online.
On Thursday, October 8, the Shiawassee County Republican Party published an advertisement announcing that it would be distributing political yard signs at the Owosso Farmers Market on Saturday, October 10, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The Republican Party never contacted Market Management, requested permission to conduct an activity at the market, or coordinated with us in any way. Nevertheless, our market's name was prominently featured in their advertising, without our knowledge or approval.
We have attached their original advertisement for transparency.
When representatives arrived this morning, they positioned themselves immediately outside one of our market barricades, adjacent to the active market area.
Our Market Manager approached them politely and made a simple request: that political campaign signs not be carried through the operating farmers market.
We want to be absolutely clear about what happened:
- We did not ask anyone to leave downtown Owosso.
- We did not ask the Republican Party to stop distributing yard signs.
- We did not ask them to leave their location outside the market barricade.
- We did not attempt to prevent anyone from expressing their political beliefs.
Our only request was that campaign materials not be carried through the active farmers market.
Unfortunately, the conversation quickly escalated, with representatives becoming defensive and raising their voices at Market Management.
Calling law enforcement to the farmers market is the last thing we ever want to do. However, with families, shoppers, vendors, and volunteers present, we have a responsibility to maintain a safe and welcoming environment. When the confrontation escalated, Market Management made the decision to contact the Owosso Police Department.
This was a matter of market operations and safety, not political affiliation.
Our published 2026 Market Rules, available since before the season began and included in the City Council's April 20 agenda packet for this year's street closures, specifically address political and religious activity under the section titled "Maintaining a Welcoming & Inclusive Market Space."
The policy states:
"To help keep the market as inviting and accessible as possible for all visitors, we ask that vendors refrain from displaying or distributing religious or political content at their booths."
This policy is not new, and it is not directed at Republicans.
Our rules have been publicly available throughout the season, including through the City of Owosso's website:https://www.ci.owosso.mi.us/Portals/0/Files/Minutes-Agendas/City-Council/260420CouncilPacket.pdf
Throughout the 2026 season, we have declined requests from Democratic organizations and other groups seeking to participate in the market when their proposed activities did not align with these standards. We have maintained the same expectations regardless of political affiliation.
In fact, despite our Market Manager being a candidate for public office, we have made a deliberate effort to keep personal politics entirely separate from market operations. Market Management has not used the farmers market for campaign activities, political promotion, or partisan organizing.
The Owosso Farmers Market is not affiliated with any political party, and we intend to keep it that way.
Republicans are welcome at our market. Democrats are welcome. Independents are welcome. Everyone is welcome.
We do not ask customers how they vote, what political party they belong to, or what they believe. Our vendor policies regarding organized political activity should never be confused with restrictions on who is welcome to shop, including customers wearing political apparel.
Our market exists to support local farmers, small businesses, and access to fresh, affordable food. It is also an important SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks access point for our community.
Every Saturday, our vendors get up early, load their vehicles, set up their booths, and work hard to serve their neighbors. Many of them depend on the market as an important part of their livelihood.
They deserve to conduct their businesses without being drawn into political confrontations, and they certainly do not deserve to lose customers over an incident they had no involvement in.
We respect everyone's right to participate in the political process, including distributing campaign materials in public spaces. We simply ask that organizations respect the farmers market's operations, communicate with Market Management before advertising activities in association with the market, and help us maintain a welcoming environment for everyone.
We have worked incredibly hard to build a market where people from all walks of life feel comfortable shopping, supporting local businesses, and spending time together.
We are disappointed that today's events have distracted from that mission, but they will not change our commitment to it.
To our vendors, customers, volunteers, and supporters, thank you for helping us make the Owosso Farmers Market a place that belongs to the whole community.
Owosso Farmers Market Management
