Judge denies Uncle Nearest’s bid for mediation
9:25 a.m. Aug. 21, 2025
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
A federal judge has rejected Uncle Nearest Inc.’s request to compel mediation in its ongoing legal dispute with Farm Credit Mid-America, ruling that the case must move forward with the appointment of a receiver.
In an order filed Thursday, Aug. 21, U.S. District Judge Charles Atchley Jr. denied the distillery’s motion to force settlement talks before the court finalizes a receivership. The decision comes just two weeks after the court granted Farm Credit’s emergency motion for immediate appointment of a receiver to oversee Uncle Nearest’s operations.
Attorneys for Uncle Nearest argued that the company, working with a group of investors, had made “multiple, good faith attempts” to reach a commercial resolution and urged the court to require mediation, claiming it would conserve judicial resources and protect both parties’ interests.
Farm Credit opposed the request, calling mediation premature and costly. The lender also questioned the financial capacity of the proposed investor group and expressed concern over public comments by Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver, which it said violated a confidentiality order.
Judge Atchley agreed with Farm Credit, writing that “every day a receiver is not appointed is another day Plaintiff is being denied relief it has already demonstrated an entitlement to.” He further noted that mediation would likely only delay the process, as Farm Credit has shown no willingness to settle at this stage.
The judge also admonished Weaver for publicly discussing the case on social media despite restrictions, cautioning that she should consult counsel before making future statements.
With the motion denied, the court is expected to proceed with the appointment of a receiver to assume control of Uncle Nearest’s business affairs.
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