ABOUT CO-OP

ABOUT CO‑OP

Rooted in agriculture. Built for everyone.


The Co-op system has deep roots in Southeastern agriculture. It was founded to serve farmers, and it still does, every day. But today’s Co-op is for more than only farmers. With more than 160 retail stores across Tennessee and in neighboring states, we proudly serve hundreds of thousands of customers from all walks of life.


At the center of it all is Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), owned by 49 local Co-ops in Tennessee and 27 associate members in nearby states. These local Co-ops are owned by their farmer-members — more than 50,000 strong. That local ownership means each store is tuned in to its community and staffed by people who understand the land, the seasons, and the people they serve.


Whether you’re buying feed, boots, fencing, fertilizer, or fuel, you’ll find high-quality products, competitive pricing, and a knowledgeable team that’s ready to help. Many Co-ops also offer expert services like soil testing, crop consulting, equipment repair, tire and battery service, livestock nutrition planning, and more.


Co-op isn’t just a store. It’s a neighbor, a partner, and a trusted part of life in rural communities.

Find a Co-op Near You

ABOUT CO‑OP

Rooted in agriculture. Built for everyone.

The Co-op system has deep roots in Southeastern agriculture. It was founded to serve farmers, and it still does, every day. But today’s Co-op is for more than only farmers. With more than 160 retail stores across Tennessee and in neighboring states, we proudly serve hundreds of thousands of customers from all walks of life.

At the center of it all is Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), owned by 49 local Co-ops in Tennessee and 27 associate members in nearby states. These local Co-ops are owned by their farmer-members — more than 50,000 strong. That local ownership means each store is tuned in to its community and staffed by people who understand the land, the seasons, and the people they serve.

Whether you’re buying feed, boots, fencing, fertilizer, or fuel, you’ll find high-quality products, competitive pricing, and a knowledgeable team that’s ready to help. Many Co-ops also offer expert services like soil testing, crop consulting, equipment repair, tire and battery service, livestock nutrition planning, and more.

Co-op isn’t just a store. It’s a neighbor, a partner, and a trusted part of life in rural communities.

Find a Co-op Near You
How Our Co-op System Works

HOW THE CO-OP WORKS

Locally owned. Farmer driven. Built to serve.

The Co-op system is unique, and it all starts at the local level. Each local Co-op is a fully independent business, owned by the farmers in that community. Those local Co-ops, in turn, own Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), creating a circle of ownership that keeps control close to home.


When a farmer joins a local Co-op, they become a member-owner and receive one share of voting stock. These members elect a board of directors, which hires a general manager to run daily operations. Profits beyond the cost of doing business are returned to members based on how much they buy — it’s called patronage, and it’s a key benefit of being part of a cooperative.


At the state level, Tennessee is divided into three zones: East, Middle, and West. Each zone elects three representatives to serve on TFC’s board of directors. TFC operates major facilities in each region, including distribution centers, feed mills, fertilizer plants, and more. From offices in LaVergne to seed and equipment centers across the state, TFC exists to support local Co-ops and the farmers, families, and communities they serve.

HOW THE CO-OP WORKS

Locally owned. Farmer driven. Built to serve.

The Co-op system is unique, and it all starts at the local level. Each local Co-op is a fully independent business, owned by the farmers in that community. Those local Co-ops, in turn, own Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC), creating a circle of ownership that keeps control close to home.

When a farmer joins a local Co-op, they become a member-owner and receive one share of voting stock. These members elect a board of directors, which hires a general manager to run daily operations. Profits beyond the cost of doing business are returned to members based on how much they buy — it’s called patronage, and it’s a key benefit of being part of a cooperative.

At the state level, Tennessee is divided into three zones: East, Middle, and West. Each zone elects three representatives to serve on TFC’s board of directors. TFC operates major facilities in each region, including distribution centers, feed mills, fertilizer plants, and more. From offices in LaVergne to seed and equipment centers across the state, TFC exists to support local Co-ops and the farmers, families, and communities they serve.

OUR HERITAGE

Born from Tennessee soil. Built by farmers.

The story of Tennessee Farmers Cooperative began with a bold idea: that Tennessee farmers could accomplish more by working together. In 1944, the Tennessee Farm Bureau set out to find the best way to structure a farm supply cooperative system that would meet the needs of farmers across the state. A study committee, led by University of Tennessee Extension specialist Al Jerdan, toured successful Co-ops in seven other states to learn what worked.


Their recommendation? A federated system — one where local, farmer-owned Co-ops would join together to create a strong, statewide support network.


That vision became reality on September 27, 1945. At exactly 1:05 p.m., the first board of directors was elected during TFC’s founding meeting. With that vote, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative was officially born, launching a new chapter in Tennessee agriculture. From the start, it was built on local ownership, shared purpose, and a commitment to serving the people who work the land.

OUR HERITAGE

Born from Tennessee soil. Built by farmers.

The story of Tennessee Farmers Cooperative began with a bold idea: that Tennessee farmers could accomplish more by working together. In 1944, the Tennessee Farm Bureau set out to find the best way to structure a farm supply cooperative system that would meet the needs of farmers across the state. A study committee, led by University of Tennessee Extension specialist Al Jerdan, toured successful Co-ops in seven other states to learn what worked.

Their recommendation? A federated system — one where local, farmer-owned Co-ops would join together to create a strong, statewide support network.

That vision became reality on September 27, 1945. At exactly 1:05 p.m., the first board of directors was elected during TFC’s founding meeting. With that vote, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative was officially born, launching a new chapter in Tennessee agriculture. From the start, it was built on local ownership, shared purpose, and a commitment to serving the people who work the land.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Luckey
Tim Luckey
Zone 1
Keith Fowler
Keith Fowler
Zone 1
Jason Cherry
Jason Cherry
Zone 1
Benjie Daniel
Benjie Daniel
Zone 2
Sloan Stewart
Sloan Stewart
Zone 2
Kevin Steelman
Kevin Steelman
Zone 2
Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson
Zone 3
Scot McDonald
Scot McDonald
Zone 3
Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller
Zone 3

The Cooperator

Your story is bold. Your story is unique. Your story is one that needs to be told. That’s why we love to deliver The Cooperator each and every month.

Published by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative in the interest of better farming through cooperation and improved technology, and to connect to the Co-op community through shared experiences, common values, and rural heritage.

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TENNESSEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION

Rooted in purpose. Growing the future.

Since the beginning, Co-op has believed in the power of working together. That spirit lives on through the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation, established in 2021 to amplify our long-standing commitment to community support.


The Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Tennessee agriculture, investing in the next generation of ag leaders, and supporting faith-based and rural initiatives across the state.


Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $300,000 to causes that matter, including support for 4-H, FFA, Ag in the Classroom, Ag Kids and Clay, and Shooting Hunger. We also fund scholarships at six Tennessee universities for students pursuing degrees in agriculture. Beyond financial gifts, we give back through volunteer time, donated products, and in-kind sponsorships.


Through the Foundation and Co-op’s broader outreach, we proudly sponsor events like ag conferences, fairs, field days, and more — all to help our communities thrive and Tennessee agriculture grow strong for generations to come.

Visit the Foundation Website
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation

TENNESSEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION

Rooted in purpose. Growing the future.

Since the beginning, Co-op has believed in the power of working together. That spirit lives on through the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative Foundation, established in 2021 to amplify our long-standing commitment to community support.


The Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Tennessee agriculture, investing in the next generation of ag leaders, and supporting faith-based and rural initiatives across the state.


Each year, the Foundation contributes more than $300,000 to causes that matter, including support for 4-H, FFA, Ag in the Classroom, Ag Kids and Clay, and Shooting Hunger. We also fund scholarships at six Tennessee universities for students pursuing degrees in agriculture. Beyond financial gifts, we give back through volunteer time, donated products, and in-kind sponsorships.


Through the Foundation and Co-op’s broader outreach, we proudly sponsor events like ag conferences, fairs, field days, and more — all to help our communities thrive and Tennessee agriculture grow strong for generations to come.

Visit the Foundation Website

OUR JOINT VENTURES

Protrition

ProTrition

ProTrition, is a joint venture company owned by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC) and Purina Animal Nutrition, a division of Land O’ Lakes, supplying feed, premixes, minerals, pet foods, and other animal nutrition products. ProTrition brings together the feed manufacturing resources and purchasing, formulation, support, sales, and service teams from the legacy companies to better serve livestock producers within ProTrition’s geography. The company is headquartered in La Vergne, Tenn. Learn more at https://protritionfeed.com.

Visit ProTrition Website
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Stockdale's

Stockdale’s is TFC’s retail initiative established in 2006 as a way to better serve the rural lifestyle market. Currently, TFC has Stockdale’s stores in Hixson, Covington, Bowling Green, Ky., Oakland, Bolivar, and Selmer.

These attractive, conveniently designed stores provide a comfortable, welcoming environment and a large selection of quality products for the home, farm, and family. Product lines include clothing and footwear, pet and horse supplies, lawn and garden items, feed, fencing, tools, outdoor equipment for hunting and camping, gifts and home décor items and much more.

Visit Stockdale's Website
Co-op Farm, Hardware & TBA

Farm Hardware & TBA

Co-op Farm Hardware & TBA was established in 2025 and focuses on sales, marketing, customer service, procurement, inventory management, warehousing, and distribution for farm supplies at TFC, AFC, and Faithway Feeds. Farm Hardware & TBA provides member Co-ops with products from categories such as lawn and garden, farm hardware and fencing, automotive, horticulture, and home goods.

Ag Equipment USA

Ag Equipment USA

Founded in October 2000, Ag Equipment USA was formed for the purpose of marketing and selling of farm equipment and material handling products. To be able to sell and promote the best quality product at the best price available.

We sell products consisting of farm implements, small sprayers to self propelled sprayers, small spreaders to the pull and truck mount spread applicators, tenders, including GPS equipment, and wheel loaders. Selling parts on brands we carry offering technical support on our products with years of experience.

Visit Ag Equipment USA Website
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LiveAg

LiveAg is your go-to American marketplace specializing in the sale of livestock and agricultural equipment. Our cutting-edge software platform powers our operations, enabling both timed and in-person auctions as well as live video auctions — available all day every day — and integrating various sales methods into a single, comprehensive hub. LiveAg is jointly owned by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, United Producers, Inc., and the software development firm Auxen, ensuring a strong foundation in agricultural expertise and technology.

Visit LiveAg Website
GreenPoint AG

GreenPoint Ag

GreenPoint Ag was established Sept. 1, 2020, and encompasses $1 billion in wholesale and retail sales, making it among the top seven largest agronomy distribution companies in the nation. It operates 99 retail and wholesale agronomy locations in 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, and Tennessee, servicing 11 crops across 28 million acres.

Visit GreenPoint Ag Website