The Piedmont Progressive Farmers’ Cooperative is a nonprofit cooperative of farmers. Their mission is “to promote sustainable and diverse farming through education, training, technical assistance, and marketing in order to enhance the overall operation of disadvantaged farmers of the Piedmont region.”
Piedmont Progressive Farmers’ Cooperative, serve local Piedmont area farmers by pooling resources to buy feed, supplies, equipment; store, prepare and package produce/eggs; and assist with branding, pricing and marketing efforts. While their focus is on underserved and small farmers, they are especially interested in assisting those farmers that have trouble accessing profitable markets in north central North Carolina and southern Virginia. As they provide this opportunity, they in turn provide customers and partners the experience of obtaining quality local food.
The co-op formed in 2016 and has hosted group outreach programs and classes, such as “Hoof Training,” as well as individual sessions. Co-op farms must meet certification standards to ensure healthy and quality products. They are not certified organic but do not use commercial fertilizers, and the animals are on pasture.
Being part of the co-op helps the small farms market their goods; the board looks for opportunities, and the farmers can market as a group with a larger supply and more versatile offerings. Currently, co-op farmers produce eggs, beef, goat meat, mutton, and vegetables. It’s a small group but is steadily growing. Piedmont Progressive Farmers’ Cooperative says, “We try to produce the best product we can.”
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