The Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group 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.”
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. The co-op board’s president, Sam Crisp, and his wife Helen have 36 acres and 161 chickens at HTS Farm. Some of the other farms, which are located in Caswell County and other nearby counties, are bigger. The co-op’s vice president, Kent Williamson, sells eggs from pastured chickens at George Hill Farm. We carry eggs from three of the co-op’s farms.
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. “We try to produce the best product we can,” says Sam.