Feb. 9 hearing in Uncle Nearest receivership case

4:27 p.m. Jan. 23, 2026

A federal judge has set a joint hearing for Feb. 9 in the ongoing legal dispute between Farm Credit Mid-America and Uncle Nearest Inc. The hearing will focus on whether the court-appointed receivership should continue and if it should cover more affiliated entities.

U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr. issued the order on Thursday. He approved a hearing to clarify the receivership’s scope and partly granted, partly denied an emergency request from Uncle Nearest principals Fawn Weaver and Keith Weaver, and non-party Grant Sidney Inc., to speed up reconsideration of the receivership.

The case began with a July 2025 lawsuit filed by Farm Credit Mid-America, PCA, accusing Uncle Nearest Inc., Nearest Green Distillery Inc., and Uncle Nearest Real Estate Holdings LLC of breaching a credit agreement. After the lawsuit was filed, the court appointed a receiver to oversee the defendant companies during the litigation.

The receiver identified 10 more entities that might be considered “Receivership Assets.” After further review, he dropped three from the list, leaving seven still under review: Shelbyville Barrel House BBQ LLC, Humble Baron Inc., Grant Sidney Inc., Quill and Cask Owner LLC, Nashwood Inc., Shelbyville Grand LLC, and 4 Front Street LLC.

The seven entities asked for a hearing to challenge their possible inclusion. The court agreed, rejecting claims that the receiver did not follow the agreed procedure during his investigation. Judge Atchley found that the receiver acted within the agreement and said any factual disputes should be handled at a formal hearing, not through procedural objections.

Separately, the Weavers and Grant Sidney Inc. asked for a fast-tracked two-day hearing to end the receivership and limit the receiver’s authority in the meantime. The court agreed to hear the motion soon but did not grant two full days or restrict the receiver’s powers before the case is fully resolved.

Instead, the court scheduled one joint hearing to address both the motion to clarify the receivership’s scope and the motion to reconsider whether it should continue. Judge Atchley said the evidence for both is likely to overlap, so combining them would make the process more efficient and lead to a quicker decision.

The hearing will take place on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. ET at the U.S. Courthouse in Knoxville. The parties must exchange witness lists, exhibit lists, and supplemental briefs before the hearing.

In the final part of the order, Judge Atchley warned all parties not to use the court proceedings for public relations. He said that trying to shape public opinion through the case could lead to sanctions.