For 75 years now, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative has drawn strength from its deep roots in the communities in which its locally owned member Co-ops were formed. 

That profound bond is just one reason that during its successful history, TFC and the member Co-ops have placed priority on giving back to the local, state, and regional communities in which they thrive. 

Concern for community is one of the seven Rochdale Principles that guides the operation of cooperatives of all kinds. It’s a characteristic that serves as one more competitive advantage that sets the cooperative model apart from other businesses.

“Co-ops don’t just do business in their towns,” says TFC Training Director Paul Binkley. “They take their responsibility seriously to help their communities grow and prosper.”

The folks working at TFC and local Co-ops live and work in these small towns and are integral parts of their communities. They often serve in civic positions, volunteer their time, and simply as act as good neighbors.

Take TFC Regional Manager Andy Woodard as an example. Andy makes his home in Cornersville in Marshall County, and, in spite of his busy schedule assisting and advising 16 member Co-ops in Regions 1 and 2, he has served as a member of the county’s school board since being elected for the first time in 2016. Andy had been deeply involved in coaching and supporting youth sports teams for 14 years or so when the opportunity on the school board opened  due to the retirement of a long-time member. 

“I was asked if I would consider running for the open position by some friends,” explains Andy. “My two children are older now, and I had the time. Honestly, I just felt compelled to serve, to give back.”

Countless other Co-op employees regularly accept similar leadership assignments or support roles as coaches, volunteer leaders, or mentors for local boards, civic organizations, and youth groups.

Perhaps nowhere is there a better demonstration of Co-op’s commitment

to agriculture, its youth, and community than its long-time support of organizations like 4-H, FFA, and Tennessee Farm Bureaus Ag in the Classroom program. Each year TFC provides more than a quarter of a million dollars in financial gifts, product donations, and in-kind support. 

These organizations are vital to the development of new generations of agriculture leaders, says Joe Huffine, TFC Feed and Animal Health division operation manager, who recently completed a 14 years of service on the board of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation. He also serves on the Tennessee FFA Foundation board.

As an alumnus of both organizations, Joe is quick to give credit to both organizations for the role they play in youth development and their importance of agriculture. 

“I feel fortunate to have been a product of an active 4-H and FFA experience and confident I gained life skills and made initial relationships that have benefited me throughout my career,” he says, noting that he feels a large number of TFC employees, member owners, and customers that would echo the same sentiment. “I know the good that every dollar given does to support the organizations. With the foundations of both organizations built around agriculture, it’s only natural our Co-op system has made it a priority and a tradition to provide support to them both financially and through the assistance and time of our employees and resources. Just as our current customers were once active members, the 4-Hers and FFA members today will be leaders in agriculture in the years ahead. Our support is not an expense but rather an investment in our cooperative system’s success in the future.”

TFC also works to help secure the future of agriculture by providing 32 scholarships — each worth $2,000 — to qualified agriculture students at six state universities: UT Knoxville, UT Martin, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University. 

These students represent the best and brightest in the future of Tennessee agriculture, and many of the recipients are already making valuable contributions to our cooperative system as employees of local Co-ops and even as full time farmers.

Applicants must be from families of Co-op members and satisfy the requirements established by TFC’s Scholarship Committee. 

Additional opportunities are afforded to a number of college students each year as they take part in TFC’s Internship Program. These individuals spend roughly 12 weeks during the summer working at TFC or in member Co-ops where they obtain practical experience in agriculture.

“This experience helps them prepare for their career in agriculture, and in many cases, may lead to a permanent position for the young person,” says Paul.

In recent years, TFC has expanded its community support by partnering with Tennessee Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, and Second Harvest Food Bank to sponsor and stage the popular Shooting Hunger events in West and Middle Tennessee. Since its inception in 2015, the organization has provided more than 1.5 million meals for Tennesseans.

Throughout agriculture in Tennessee, you will find Co-op employees working with agriculture organizations like Tennessee Farm Bureau, Farm Credit Mid-America, UT Extension, and a host of other commodity and producer entities. They work tirelessly to advocate for agriculture, provide expertise, and represent the farmer-owner’s interests as they promote the health, viability, and sustainability of agriculture.

“These efforts are good for our

communities,” says Paul, “And

they’re important for our future, too. Co-ops were organized from the idea that together, farmers could make a difference. We’ve put that idea into practice for 75 years as we’ve continued to support our neighbors, our communities, and all of agriculture.” 

For more information on the TFC Scholarship or Intern programs, contact Paul Binkley, TFC director of training at 1-800-366-2667 or email him at pbinkley@ourcoop.com.