CUTOMER PROFILE: SMOKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS CO-OP By: Ashley Gardner
T
he saying ‘strength in numbers’ is defined as ‘a group of people have more influence or power than one person.’ The Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative proves that adage to be true. The group is made up of more than 3,500 farmer members, who are stronger together than they are separate. The Co-op has four retail locations to benefit farmers in the Smoky Mountain region of Tennessee and North Carolina. The main retail center is in Sevierville, Tenn. Other locations include Morristown and Newport in Tennessee and Waynesville, North Carolina. There is also a crop center in White Pine, Tenn. “For our co-op you have to have a certain amount of income from farming operations to be a member,” said David Majors, area manager for Smoky Mountain Farmers Coop. “Tennessee has a farm tax exemption. If you qualify through the state of Tennessee, then you can be a member. When you’re a member you’ll get patronage which is 40 | BWI COMPANIES, INC.
pretty much a rebate back on what you’ve bought. It just helps our farmers by saving them some money.” Smoky Mountain Farmers Coop retail centers sell a variety of products and provide a wide range of services. Customers can find everything from farm supplies, pet supplies, lawn and garden products, hardware, plumbing supplies, different types of fertilizer, pro turf, fuel and auto care, and more. The diversity of products and services offered has kept Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op at the forefront. Over the years they’ve grown to provide needed services and expanded
David Major, Area Manager (left) and Dylan Sise, Showroom Manager - Sevierville (right)
