Idaho Falls Farmers Market Protest Canceled After Manager, Board Resign
A #SAVEOURCHILDREN protest planned near the Idaho Falls Farmers’ Market has been called off after both the market’s manager and its entire board of directors stepped down amid a social media firestorm over a criminal conviction.
The demonstration had been organized by Courtney Mcswain, who recently relocated to Arco from Kansas, and was originally set to take place on the Broadway Bridge during Saturday’s market. The protest initially targeted Clark Poston, the former market manager, after information about a 2019 child injury conviction resurfaced online and spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Rapid Resignations Shift the Story
Poston resigned from his position Wednesday. Organizers then redirected their focus toward the Farmers’ Market Board of Directors, calling for those members to step down as well. By Wednesday evening, the full board had submitted their resignations. New directors have since been appointed to fill the vacated seats.
With both targets of the protest having resigned, Mcswain announced on Facebook that Saturday’s demonstration would no longer proceed. “We are canceling Saturday’s protest. Please spread the word, none of the Idaho Falls groups will allow me to post,” Mcswain wrote in the public post.
Organizer Vows Continued Advocacy on Sentencing Laws
Despite the cancellation, Mcswain indicated the broader effort is far from over. She wrote that the group’s focus will shift toward advocating for stronger minimum sentencing requirements for those convicted of child sex crimes. “We are not stopping here. We are going to be shifting the focus to bigger and better,” she stated.
Future events have not yet been scheduled, but Mcswain signaled they are being planned. The episode reflects growing public attention in Idaho and across the region to how courts sentence offenders in cases involving children — a concern shared by many families and community advocates throughout East Idaho.
The Idaho Falls Farmers’ Market is a longtime staple of the community, drawing local vendors and shoppers each summer season. For residents interested in the market’s continued operations under its new leadership, this Saturday’s market is expected to proceed as normal. Bonneville County readers can also explore the area’s deep agricultural roots — including a look at a century-old Iona farm and RV supply company that recently marked 100 years in operation.
What Comes Next
The Idaho Falls Farmers’ Market is moving forward under newly appointed board directors following the mass resignation. Mcswain and fellow protest organizers have indicated they plan to pursue advocacy around child sex crime sentencing minimums through future organized events, with specific dates and locations to be announced. Community members following the Farmers’ Market’s next steps or the broader sentencing reform push can expect further developments in the coming weeks. Those interested in the market’s community role may also find context in local efforts connecting Idaho Falls arts and agriculture to broader community causes.