Witch Asked to Leave Farmer's Market
Friday July 10, 2009
Here's an interesting one. At the Fairfax Farmers Market in San Francisco's Bay Area, local witch Joey Talley has been doing free Tarot readings for years. Now, however, market organizers have asked her to stop. They say she's never applied for a vendor's permit, and so it's time for her to leave. The venue has limited space, and market managers have declined permits from masseuses, chiropractors and holistic healers -- their point being that while there may be a place for everything, it isn't necessarily the farmer's market.
Market manager Amelia Spilger says, "We don't want the market to become a free-for-all festival." Talley, on the other hand, claims that she's providing a valuable service -- at no charge -- and should be allowed to stay. She's even circulating a petition.
Spilger points out that the market's "farmers are certified as growing what they're producing. Our artisans are artists producing what they sell... It's the same with our food purveyors, to protect the integrity of the market. I understand Rev. Talley's frustration, but those are the parameters set forth for the market."
My thoughts on this are that while yes, Talley is doing something good, she should have to follow by the same rules as everyone else, and fill out a vendor's application. If it gets declined, then so be it -- right now, there appears to be a waiting list to get in as a vendor anyway. To be sure, she may not be collecting payment for her services at the farmer's market, but she is most likely benefiting financially in some small way -- a free reading at a farmer's market often leads to a paying client.
What do you think?
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Market manager Amelia Spilger says, "We don't want the market to become a free-for-all festival." Talley, on the other hand, claims that she's providing a valuable service -- at no charge -- and should be allowed to stay. She's even circulating a petition.
Spilger points out that the market's "farmers are certified as growing what they're producing. Our artisans are artists producing what they sell... It's the same with our food purveyors, to protect the integrity of the market. I understand Rev. Talley's frustration, but those are the parameters set forth for the market."
My thoughts on this are that while yes, Talley is doing something good, she should have to follow by the same rules as everyone else, and fill out a vendor's application. If it gets declined, then so be it -- right now, there appears to be a waiting list to get in as a vendor anyway. To be sure, she may not be collecting payment for her services at the farmer's market, but she is most likely benefiting financially in some small way -- a free reading at a farmer's market often leads to a paying client.
What do you think?
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Comments
Well, if the church is demanding the product be made/grown by the seller, she does qualify, according to the guidelines.
But, she really should purchase a permit.
I agree, the rules should be applied equally to all and that means she needs a permit. I don’t think she’s being singled out for the type of service or anything as it notes other services that are being denied. I’d find a tarot reader out of place at a farmer’s market.
I agree with Kendall, but I wonder if someone couldn’t make a sort of “adverse possession” case because the market folks let her stay for six seasons …
Just because she chooses to give away her services doesn’t mean she has any more right to be there than others – she needs a permit. Plus, depending on exactly how the rules are worded, she may not even be eligible. She is not selling (or giving away) a product but a service. There is a difference.
I think people like her need to quit being such, as my niece would say, “whiney babies”. Follow the same rules as everyone else. It is unfortunate they are suddenly asking her to leave after she’s been there for so long, but move on and find new digs if you don’t think you should be subject to the same rules as everyone else.
Talley needs to find and use a different venue and location. As the article clearly states, the Farmers Market coordinator would NOT give her a permit regardless of request as they are biased against anything holistic (including massages and chiropractors).
I have found the same bigotry from other events such as Art Fairs (even though holistic items were sold there); AlienFest in Roswell, NM (now you’d think they wouldn’t care…lol), and others.
Talley may want to consider obtaining her own permit in another area of the park, another park, or stay with psychic/holistic events in the area (it is the San Fran region) more suited for her practices.
One interesting note…it’s been my experience that some of the same people who discriminate against the crafty folks, often attend “holistic” events to sell their items. Their rationale? Money is money. Talk about hypocrites.
I would think that she would bring in people to have readings who may then buy fruits and vegetables from the farmers. It seems win-win to me.
I think Talley needs to put on her Big Girl pants and find somewhere else to conduct her readings. A farmer’s market isn’t the right venue for tarot readings, massages or “holistic healers” and I think the market’s manager is quite right about keeping a focus for the market. If a “holistic healer” conned some customers, the market manager would be held responsible and unfortunately there are as many people who want to make a quick buck out of natural therapies as there are people who genuinely want to help.
OK, I don’t see that this is any different than any one of any brand of religion/lack of religion showing up in a public space and sitting down with ANYONE there to discuss whatever! I mean, if someone wanted to bring their newspaper and someone else wanted to sit down next to them and discuss the news???? Would the farmer market manager throw them out????
Or, if someone wanted to bring their baseball card collection and likewise, sit down and look through them???
No money is being exchanged!!!
Heck, I go to my own farmer’s market local to make contacts with others as much as I do to buy produce.
I hope the Pagan community in particular will turn out to support this woman’s efforts to stay at the farmers market. And, the general public also needs to look close at this as a trespass upon freedom of expression, too!!
Donna
a practicing Celtic farmstead kitchen witch
Each of these comments had merit, but I agreed with #5 most of all…only thing I don’t get is, why now? When she’s been there for years, why are the market people just now pitching a fit & raising a ruckus??? Thank you for allowing me to air my opinion.
First of all, its a FARMER’S market. Not a flea market or any other kind of ‘faire’ at which vendors peddle their diverse wares and services. Secondly, regardless if she is ‘technically’ allowed to be a vendor, she should obtain a permit just like everyone else. Lastly, if she is truly offering a viable free-of-charge service she should consider starting a separate venue geared toward her line of work. If this particular market is getting applicants that they have to turn away (as article suggested) then there are probably enough rejected vendors that would be interested in starting their own and/or renting the market space at a separate time from the produce vendors.