“I set up the College Hill Farmers Market because there was interest in the neighborhood,” Wobeter said. “But it so happens I ended up getting all the market vendors who were not allowed" into the downtown Cedar Falls Market. "I hear lots of stories of how people are not allowed into the market.”

Wobeter works with former Cedar Falls councilman Kamyar Enshayan, the director of UNI’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education and a leading proponent of a "buy fresh, buy local" campaign. He too has heard stories, the most common being that the downtown market is either full or does not desire the competition.

According to Mayor Jon Crews, the market uses about a block and a half of public street space in Overman Park, with potential to expand outward.

“If the market needed to expand there’s plenty of room,” Enshayan said. “So the argument that there isn’t enough room doesn’t seem to be true.”

Blake and Enshayan argue that since the downtown market is on public property, it needs to either allow vendors in or relocate to private property.

“It’s on public space, it’s a public event, and anybody that has something they’ve grown should have the opportunity to sell it there,” Enshayan said.

“A farmers market is supposed to include everybody,” Blake said. “Everyone’s supposed to get their shot.”

Blake has been selling his pork at larger scale farmers markets in Iowa City and Des Moines. Those markets attract hundreds of vendors and customers, and they have never turned him away, he said.

The City Council has instructed Mayor Jon Crews and city staff to investigate Blake’s claims. Meanwhile, Blake said he's considering setting up his own farmers market somewhere else, maybe Gateway Park.

“This isn’t just about me,” Blake said. “This is about all those other farmers that can’t get in … I’m not trying to trash anybody. I’m just trying to make it fair and equitable, so we can have a real farmer’s market.”

“I think what Carl is doing is really commendable,” Vander Zanden said. “I think this town deserves a farmers market that is inclusive and I think he’s really pushing for a better market for people … I want a great, robust, vibrant market with hundreds of hundreds of people coming every Saturday.”

Downtown Cedar Falls Farmers Market representatives had not responded to several requests for comment Tuesday. The market kicks off its season 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. For more information, visit http://cedarfallsfarmersmarket.net/.