Tri-State Growers, Smoky Mountain Farmers Co-op merge

SEVIERVILLE — Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative and Tri-State Growers, Inc. announced a merger of the two businesses, which will operate as Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative, effective Sept. 1.

Tri-State Growers, Inc., located in Mountain City, Tennessee, offers a variety of products including hardware, fencing, livestock and hay equipment, animal nutrition items, clothing, boots, seasonal gardening supplies, home goods, and more. It offers services including 24-hour fuel, bulk feed, soil testing and a full-service tire center.

“I believe this merger is a good thing for the farmers in our area as it will allow us to bring in more products and services for our customers,” said Cody Stout, board chairman of Tri-State Growers, Inc. “The group at Smoky has been great to work with, and I believe we have the same goals at heart. We are excited about this new stage in our cooperative history.”

“Tri-State Growers has a long-standing history of supporting the livelihood of farmers in the community,” said Rodney Hardin, board chairman of Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative. “By joining forces, we look forward to providing even more products and services for farmers and customers in Mountain City and the surrounding community. We will work to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and employees.”

With the merger of Tri-State Growers, Inc., Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative will now provide products and services to its customers through seven locations across Northeast Tennessee and Western North Carolina, including five retail locations, a feed mill and crop center, and two joint-partnership locations — ASM Ag Services in Bristol and Marion, Virginia.

Smoky Mountain Farmers Cooperative operates the co-op location in Newport on West Broadway. The Newport location sells a variety of items including plants, seeds, fertilizer, gardening supplies, livestock feed, pet foods, clothing, hunting supplies, boots and more. An automotive center is also onsite. Management said they have everything you need to “make your lawn, garden and home look its best.”

“We are not just for farmers. We have products that can help out everyone. Many of our regular customers do not consider themselves to be farmers,” said Cory Malone, manager of the Newport location.

“Everyone can shop at the co-op. Come visit us,” he said.