Pictured (L to R): Will Gotcher, Interrogated Solutions consultant for John Deere; Steven Smith, president of Franklin County Cattlemen’s Assocation; Boyd Trulove – sales associate at TriGreen Equipment in Leighton; Joey Masterson, recipient of Gator; Grant Masterson, Joey’s son; Jack Masterson, Joey’s father; Fay Masterson, Joey’s Mother; Orland Britnell, vice-president of Franklin County Cattlemen; and Jack Hargett, secretary of Franklin County Cattlemen.

For years now, members of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association have been saying a phrase that has become a motto for their group – “It pays to belong to the Cattleman.”

Recently, member Joey Masterson found out how true that phrase really is after he won a four-wheel drive John Deere Gator at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association August board meeting in Auburn.

The Gator is provided each year to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association as a grand prize for the membership drive for new members. The sponsors for the Gator are TriGreen Equipment, SunSouth Equipment, Sneed Equipment and all independent John Deere dealers in Alabama.

Masterson’s name was drawn out of 5,400 names of new members and their recruiters who signed up for membership this past year.

“I have been a member of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association in the past but I let my membership lapse,” Masterson said.

“I recently decided to re-join the group because it’s a great organization worthy of supporting, and I have to say, it’s ended up being the best $30 I ever spent.”

He said he couldn’t believe it when he got the call.

“I had to ask them 15 times if they were pulling my leg,” Masterson said.

“I was just beside myself. This is something that we will really be able to use.”

Masterson and his brother-in-law have a farm in East Franklin and own 70 head of cattle.

“The good Lord knew our four-wheeler was about to wear out and has truly blessed us,” Masterson said.

“This will be perfect for helping us check on the cattle and feed them. And I’m sure my son will get some good use out of it, too.”

Orland Britnell, Franklin County Cattlemen’s vice-president and a past state president, said he was excited for Masterson.

“We’ve been saying for a long time that it pays to belong to the Cattleman and this is just proof that it really does,” he said.

“When we saw it come up on the screen that someone from Franklin County had won, we were delighted. This is a tremendous thing for one of our members to win and we are happy for Joey.”

But Britnell said winning Gators isn’t the only advantage Cattlemen members have.

In addition to state discounts, Britnell said there are many everyday discounts here locally that Cattlemen members enjoy, such as discounts for car services, discounts for newspaper subscriptions, discounts at pharmacies, and discounts at numerous other local businesses.

“We also have a picnic where we feed all of our members and their families, and we have a nice, sit-down dinner where all of our members and their families get a steak dinner,” Britnell said.

“We do both of these events once a year and that right there is enough to pay over and above the $30 it costs to be a member.”

Britnell said members do not have to be cattle farmers in order to join the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association.

“Anyone can be a member of the Cattlemen’s Association and be a supporter of the things we do,” he said.

“We provide assistance for our cattle farmers and Cattlemen have access to certain equipment and services that can help them in their business, but we also do a lot for the community.

“So far we have given away $120,000 in scholarships generated from our sandwich sales and $2,000 in scholarship money for the Thomas Harbin Memorial Scholarship.

“We enjoy supporting our community and we are glad to have new members who wish to do the same thing.”

To find out more about joining the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association (and being entered into next year’s drawing for a John Deere Gator), see any Franklin County Cattlemen member.