Meeting a Legend
When Eric Simpson met Ralph Paige one day, he did not realize he was meeting a legend. Although they knew each other from living in the same neighborhood in LaGrange, Georgia, Simpson did not know that Paige, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC), was part of a generation of Black activists and leaders advocating for Black farmers and cooperatives.
Mr. Paige introduced Mr. Simpson to the West Georgia Farmers’ Cooperative (WGFC), a local agricultural cooperative founded in 1966, of which Paige had been a member before joining the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Simpson learned that the cooperative had thrived for decades, but by the late 1990s, as members aged and farms changed hands, the movement’s momentum had slowed. By the time Simpson became involved, only a few farmers and members remained.
A Seed Planted
Mr. Simpson had been working in government services when he decided to pursue farming. “I bought a small farm,” he recalls. At that time, Paige told him about WGFC. Simpson joined in 2012, entering a remnant community with deep roots and the will to rebuild.
Simpson learned what it meant to operate collectively, selling food through a small regional hub and reestablishing the cooperative’s presence in local markets. By 2015, WGFC envisioned a food system owned by its members: a grocery store, commercial kitchen, and credit union, connecting growers with consumers.
Reclaiming the Model
In 2022, after years of growth, the cooperative purchased property for a “Cooplex,” which included a grocery store, a credit union, gas pumps, and a food production kitchen. WGFC acquired adjacent housing properties in June 2025, financing the acquisition with LEAF.
“LEAF provided us capital on favorable terms, helping us live out principle four of cooperative values—autonomy and independence.” —Eric Simpson
The cooperative acquired a neighboring duplex and single-family home, generating income and building experience in housing management, strengthening its resilience.
A Growing Movement
The cooperative now has over 210 members, including growers, food entrepreneurs, and consumers, and aims for 3,000. They grow collard greens, sweet potatoes, okra, corn, zucchini, chicken, eggs, and more. The cooperative collaborates with local cattlemen and fishermen and hosts crab boils to build the community.
Members learn to share ownership, operate democratically, and make decisions reflecting community values.
“It’s about self-determination. You have to learn how a cooperative works—how to be a member, not just a customer or investor.” —Eric Simpson
Looking Ahead
The cooperative recently earned national recognition as a Food Co-op Start-Up Innovator. Plans for a credit union, further Cooplex development, and the Diamond Anniversary in 2026 are underway. The original founders and members remain living bridges.
“We’re farming and building an economy beyond the farms that works for us.” —Eric Simpson
LEAF continues to support the cooperative, protecting the seeds planted decades ago so they are bearing fruit for generations.