SISTERS, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners finally gave approval for a Sisters-area farm to host weddings this summer.  John Shepherd has been trying to get permits to conduct weddings on his property for years. This past week, the permit to designate a portion of his property as a private park was approved late last week. "It took us three and a half years, four applications and $20,000 in fees and fines. It was a huge battle and a lot of obstacles, but we persisted and finally prevailed," John Shepherd tells KBND News. "We'll finally be able to hold private weddings and special events."

Shepherd, who is also a minister, will be allowed to hold 18 wedding on his land, between May and October. There are stipulations: Weddings must take place on weekends and cannot violate any noise ordinances. "We will be opening up land use opportunity that wasn't there before, and that's why it's so important. It's setting a precedent, and that's why Central Oregon Landwatch fought it tooth and nail and used every trick to prevent us from getting this land use permission."  He says the first wedding is scheduled for mid-June.