Tennessee farmer Danny Kitzman thought he was doing something completely normal – parking his farming equipment on a gravel pad in one of his soybean fields. But to his surprise, this everyday action brought him legal trouble. According to Charlie Rankin of Yanasa TV, Kitzman was hit with a cease-and-desist letter from Madison County officials accusing him of violating zoning laws. His crime? Supposedly running a “commercial business” in an area zoned for agriculture.
Farming Is a Commercial Enterprise – So What Gives?
As Charlie Rankin explains in his video, farming is by definition a commercial business. Farmers grow and sell food – it’s how they earn a living. “Every farmer I know parks equipment on their own land,” Rankin says. He points out that it’s not just a tradition, it’s necessary. Especially after a rainy spring, when muddy conditions force farmers to park heavy machinery on gravel pads to avoid damaging their equipment or getting stuck.
The Gravel Pad That Sparked a Legal Battle
Kitzman’s decision to lay down gravel and create a dry place to park tractors was logical. The land had been soaked with rain for weeks. Rankin, who is also a farmer, shares that he does the exact same thing on his property. Yet, Madison County code enforcement saw Kitzman’s gravel pad and equipment and claimed it resembled a separate commercial enterprise, not traditional farming. Their reasoning: Kitzman also owns a business that auctions farm equipment.
The County’s Cease-and-Desist Letter
In the letter obtained and read by Rankin, the Madison County attorney accused Kitzman of violating zoning ordinances. The land was zoned “Outer Region FAR,” which surprisingly does allow equipment storage, rental, and sales. Yet, the letter stated that Kitzman must stop all business activities or face legal action, including civil penalties and injunctions. Rankin called the situation “absurd,” pointing out that the letter contradicts itself.
Kitzman Responds with Facts – and Frustration
Kitzman didn’t stay silent. He responded with a formal letter clarifying that the equipment stored on the field was used solely for farming, not for his auction business. His company, Kitsman Farms and Kitsman Auction and Realty Company LLC, operates under an umbrella business structure, which Rankin says is common for farmers who have to wear many hats to survive financially. According to Kitzman, the machinery in question is used to manage soybeans, hay, and livestock, not for commercial resale.
Agribusiness: More Than Just Crops
Kitzman also reminded the county that modern farming isn’t just planting and harvesting – it involves a broad network of services. As Rankin notes, agribusiness includes everything from equipment supply to auctions to real estate. “It’s the entire chain from field to consumer,” Kitzman wrote in his letter. Farmers often have to provide or rely on side services to stay afloat. Punishing someone for that, Rankin says, shows a lack of understanding of how agriculture really works.
The Bigger Picture: Rural America Under Threat
Rankin doesn’t view Kitzman’s case as isolated. He’s seen similar tactics used elsewhere. In his own experience in North Carolina, Rankin faced a zoning battle when the county tried to rezone his farm to residential. He believes there’s a larger trend happening – local governments using zoning laws to quietly push out small farms, making room for developers. “It’s a long game,” Rankin warns. First, limit a farmer’s ability to operate. Then, the land becomes too expensive or difficult to manage. Eventually, it’s sold and paved over.
Who Really Wins in These Zoning Disputes?
According to Rankin, the answer is clear: wealthy developers and county commissioners with an eye on boosting tax revenues. As rural land values soar, farmers get priced out. Rankin gives a staggering example – developers near his own property paid $120,000 per acre to build a Disney-themed housing community. “Farms like ours can’t compete with that,” he says. And when farmland is gone, so is food security, local jobs, and the rural way of life.
Support for Farming Is Shrinking
What used to be protected under law is now being reinterpreted or ignored. Rankin explains that in many states, like North Carolina, agriculture has traditionally been safeguarded. Farmers could run small repair shops, offer services, or sell equipment without hassle. But once land is rezoned or “reinterpreted,” even these support roles are deemed illegal. “You can’t farm if you can’t maintain your tools,” Rankin says.
Why This Case Matters
Rankin urges viewers to see the Kitzman case as a warning. If a farmer can’t park his own equipment on the field he works, where does that leave the rest of us? He believes it’s less about law and more about bureaucracy and revenue. “The guy’s not breaking any laws. He’s farming. That’s it,” Rankin says. Punishing him sends a dangerous message to other farmers: your land isn’t really yours anymore.
Rankin’s Call to Action
In the final minutes of his report, Rankin turns to his audience. “This isn’t just about one guy in Tennessee. This is happening everywhere,” he warns. He encourages farmers, rural residents, and even suburban viewers to pay closer attention to local elections and zoning decisions. The battle for land isn’t just political – it’s personal. “We’ve got to get some of these nut jobs out of office,” Rankin says bluntly. He believes only engaged citizens can push back against overreach and preserve farming communities.
Common Sense Is Being Bulldozed
This case isn’t just frustrating – it’s insulting. How can parking a tractor on a farm be illegal? Kitzman isn’t running a warehouse or dealership – he’s planting soybeans. Rankin’s breakdown reveals just how twisted things have become when a farmer has to defend himself for… farming. It’s hard not to see this as part of a larger war on small farms, waged one zoning rule at a time. And if we don’t pay attention, it won’t stop with Kitzman.
Farming Needs Defenders Now More Than Ever
Whether or not you live on a farm, this story should concern you. When farmers are treated like criminals for doing their jobs, something is seriously wrong. Rankin’s call to action is spot on – this isn’t about politics, it’s about survival. Food doesn’t grow in office buildings. If we let small farms disappear, we all pay the price. What’s happening in Madison County could happen anywhere. And next time, it could be your neighbor, or your community, under attack.
Standing Up for Rural Rights
Danny Kitzman may just be one man, but his story represents many. And thanks to Charlie Rankin and Yanasa TV, we know what’s at stake. Zoning laws should protect farmers, not punish them. The ability to park equipment on farmland should never require legal defense. Yet here we are. Rural America is watching, and hopefully, speaking up. Because if common sense doesn’t win this battle, farming as we know it may not survive.
Ed spent his childhood in the backwoods of Maine, where harsh winters taught him the value of survival skills. With a background in bushcraft and off-grid living, Ed has honed his expertise in fire-making, hunting, and wild foraging. He writes from personal experience, sharing practical tips and hands-on techniques to thrive in any outdoor environment. Whether it’s primitive camping or full-scale survival, Ed’s advice is grounded in real-life challenges.