A family-owned farm in Kansas City has been hosting a farmers market for several years, but since it's held in a residential area, the homeowners association now says it has to go.
Loud House Farm is located along east 113th Street in south Kansas City. Debbie Borel's family has owned the farm since the 1970s, around the same time the property became residential. It was after her daughter moved back home six years ago when she decided to keep the farm alive by adding animals, and soon after, a small farmers market.
"It's very small. I mean it's really only about four farmers," said Borel, who has hosted the market at her urban farmstead every Wednesday night for roughly the last two years.
"The people from this neighborhood support this market," she said.
Claire Walker, Borel's daughter and co-owner of the farm, even added a small donation-based, farm-to-table dinner group about two weeks ago.
"We know that the city wants to support sustainable food practices," said Walker. "We think this could be a model for all neighborhoods to support each other and support good food."
But recently, the homeowners association showed up and called the city to shut things down. A customer shot a video of the encounter on her cellphone.
Terrace Lake Gardens Home Owners Association president Deb Eddings pulled Borel aside, explaining that her operation wasn't permitted.
"You do not have a health permit," you can hear Eddings say in the video.
41 Action News reached out to the HOA. Eddings agreed to give a short statement over the phone, saying there's a simple answer to why they'd tried shutting down Borel's operation.
"This is not zoned for any kind of commercial. It's residential only," said Eddings.
"The farm stays there because of the fact that it was here when the community was built around it. Other than that they have to follow the same rules that every other resident does."
The farm says they're not giving up on their business but will adjust their model to be in accordance with the law.
"I can't find an ordinance regarding a farmers market. So I will be there next Wednesday," said Borel.
And as for anyone that has complaints about the farm, Walker said, "I would invite them to come and participate one week, and just see how the neighbors enjoy it."
41 Action News reached out to the city of Kansas City regarding the matter. A spokesperson sent a note saying that "city staff is looking into this from both a health and zoning perspective," and that they will "have to dig deeper."
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