KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — The Martin family’s latest farm expansion is extra sweet.

“It’s very, very satisfying,” Ben Martin said, pouring a tall glass of his farm-made Soil Friends cider.

Soil Friends, a family-run farm making a name for itself in the cider space, opened the doors to its tasting room earlier this month at 1701 N. 33rd St. in Comstock Township.

The agrotourism business has been selling its canned cider since 2018, using local apples. But opening a tasting room has been part of a long-range vision, Martin said.

“We’ve had this planned from the very beginning,” he said.

Unexpected barriers slowed — but didn’t stop — the young family, now with five kids.

Soil Friends clashed with Comstock Township officials, regarding whether the business was properly licensed. The townshi

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