STORE SPOTLIGHT BY C O R E Y E S P Y
Geneva County Co-op Geneva County Cooperative was formed in 2018 from the consolidation of Hartford Farmers Cooperative and West Geneva Farmers Cooperative. These two successful cooperatives have had a history of serving the community for many years. Hartford Farmers Cooperative was originally started by the farmers in the area to serve as a feed crusher. In 1969, the location became a member of Alabama Farmers Cooperative Inc. and shifted focus to the row crop producers with a focus on peanuts, as the location also served as an Anderson’s Peanut buying point for many years. The Hartford location also continued to service the cattle producers in the region with the feed crusher as well as providing them with feed for their livestock and pasture supplies. The West Geneva branch of Geneva County Cooperative began in 1966 and served its customers much the same as Hartford. They also serviced the row crops in the area as well as the cattle producers. Today, as a location with a high population of row crop producers, the store handles bulk fertilizer and crop protection products, but also services many of the cattle farmers in the area. Since the early days, the two co-ops have grown and shifted with the ever-changing face of agriculture to fulfill needs of the area such as the uptick in cotton production throughout the years. It is this ability to adapt that has led to much success. Today, the locations offer many different services for their customers. They still offer the traditional ag products but also have retail areas with items ranging from lawn and garden supplies to household items. Hartford even bags raw peanuts which are sold not only in Hartford, but at Co-op stores across the state. With the close proximity of the two stores (18 miles), and the great working relationship between the two managers, the idea emerged to consolidate the two in order to better serve the customers of Geneva County. Although Hartford Manager Todd Smith was originally skeptical, he said that he now sees the vision that was laid out and understands it was a great move to strengthen both locations. For West Geneva manager Robert Pittman, the close working relationship made
Robert Pittman, West Geneva store manager (left), and Todd Smith, Hartford store manager (right), have seen mutual benefits from their stores merging.
the consolidation an easier decision. This merger has made serving customers more efficient by allowing the two locations to share equipment and employees to get producers served in a timely manner. It also allowed the stores to come together and hire an outside salesman. The outside salesman gives Geneva County Co-op yet another tool to strengthen their relationship with existing customers as well as reach out to new customers. District Manager Jody Enfinger voiced much of the same thoughts as both managers. He said that the merger has enhanced customer service and improved inventory turns to ensure fresh products for the customers. Enfinger also said that he thinks that the successful consolidation of Geneva County Cooperative should be a blueprint for future mergers. AFC vice president of Management Services James Fudge had this to say: “The consolidation of Hartford Farmers Cooperative and West Geneva Cooperative into Geneva County Cooperative has been a very positive move for the members of Geneva County. Not only has it joined these two cooperatives together to make a more efficient operation, it has made a cooperative that services its members in the most efficient manner possible. Through these efficiencies, Geneva County Cooperative has been able to serve their members with more products, better service and a better return on their investment. Todd and Robert have shown the true meaning of working together throughout this consolidation and continue to strive to service their members with outstanding performance.” Overall, the formation of Geneva County Cooperative has proven the motto of the AFC Family, “One Team, One Goal.” Joining forces has allowed these two stores to come together and strengthen the Co-op for the common goal of providing unmatched service to the customer. August 2020
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