Quail Run Farm is a veteran-owned and family-operated 120-acre multi-animal and multi-crop farm in East Tennessee. The owner, Joe Riley, is a Tennessee native, veteran, and Rhodes Scholar. Joe and his family bought the farm to share their passion for farming, educate the public about locally grown food, and let people enjoy their beautiful farm. To accomplish this goal, the farm hosts tours allowing families and visitors to learn about food cultivation, raising animals, and to enjoy the great outdoors. Wanting to give his guests the ultimate farm getaway, Joe built multiple tiny homes so guests could stay overnight at the farm.
Building on the farm’s success and to keep growing the farm, Joe planned to grow the number of tiny homes on his farm. But when County officials were informed of Joe’s intentions, the County threatened to halt his plan. County officials wanted Joe to comply with county zoning laws and building regulations. Although Tennessee law gives no authority to local governments to enforce their zoning and building regulations on farm property and structures used for agricultural purposes, the County continued to require Joe to comply with their demands.
Suspecting the County was overstepping its bounds, Joe contacted Beacon to explain his situation and to make sure counties across the state allowed small entrepreneurial farmers like himself to freely use their property and make a living. After hearing Joe’s amazing story and realizing he was correct, Beacon’s attorneys leaped into action, not just to help Joe but to protect the rights of all Tennessean farmers. Beacon’s legal team sent a letter to the County Attorney detailing that the County lacked legal authority to regulate tiny homes used on farms for agricultural purposes.
As a result of Joe’s refusal to back down, Beacon’s involvement, and the work of many others, the County decided to allow Joe to continue his project. This allows Joe to build more tiny homes without the overbearing burden and cost of government regulations. Many small farmers simply cannot afford to comply with complex zoning laws and building regulations. As it becomes more and more expensive for small farmers like Joe to stay in business, agritourism, such as building tiny homes for overnight guests, is a viable option for additional income to help small farmers stay in business. Operations like Quail Run Farms benefit Tennessee’s economy and help support the income of farms and rural communities.
Beacon firmly believes that farmers, like Joe, and all Tennesseans, have a right to use their property and to make a living. In Joe’s own words, “This is a remarkable example of what Beacon is able to do for Tennesseans… I am extremely grateful for all that Beacon has done to help me on this. Not only will this support benefit my family, but I know that it is going to help many other farmers, as well.”
At Beacon, we have successfully challenged state and local laws and regulations to restore Tennesseans’ economic liberty and property rights and to eliminate government overreach in their lives. If the government is threatening your property rights or economic liberty, please contact Beacon.