By By Matthew Nascone
Every year one farmer is rewarded with a $100 check from Frank Currie Gin Co. This money is a reward for the first bale of cotton churned for the season.
This year's winner was A.L. Mason and his operator, Kevin Holland. Mason and Holland received their checks Sept. 1 from manager of Frank Currie Gin Co., Ron Bailey. There are other benefits to donating bales of cotton to Frank Currie Gin Co., Bailey said.
"We are the only gin around that pays back a rebate," he said. "We paid $1.50 per bale on 31,246 bales last year alone."
Mason said it was great to be the first farmer to turn in his bale for the 2006 season. He has been farming his lands on and off for about 70 years, he said.
Now that the excitement of the first bale is complete Bailey said he hopes people bring their bales to Frank Currie and take advantage of the rebates offered at the business.