Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Butler Farmer’s Quality Cooperative (Co-Op) Inc. was recently awarded three regional awards including the John Deere Financial Highest Growth Percentage, the Faithway Alliance Largest Percent Growth and the Bonnie Plant Spring Plant Sale Award, which is the highest sales award. 

Daniel Salter, General Manager for six years, said the Co-Op’s customer service is what earned the awards.

“It’s just a culmination of a lot of hard work and tireless hours from our staff,” Salter said. “We’ve put together a group here that really understands customer service, that is the only thing that separates us from any other store and what keeps bringing people back. We certainly could not have done it without our customers and we are certainly appreciative of them.”

The Alabama Farmers Cooperative (AFC) division encompasses about 80 stores spanning across Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Salter explained the co-op has been in the community for nearly 63 years. Next to the historic Greenville Hardware store downtown, the co-op is one of the oldest businesses in town. 

Salter added that with the help of the community he looks forward to reaching the century milestone. 

Another way the co-op stands out from other businesses is its membership benefits. At the end of the year all members receive a percentage of sales back, mailed directly to them by check, Salter explained. 

“It pays to be a member of Farmers Co-Op, because we like to send you money back at the end of the year,” Salter said. “If we make more money than what we need, we send it back to our customers. It’s very simple, all you have to do is come by and see us and we’ll get your membership set up. If you’re going to buy the products, you might as well buy the products at a place that’s going to pay you to do business.”

Nick Cartwright, the Co-Op’s warehouse manager, said it is a blessing for the store to be needed by their customers. 

“I’m thankful to be a part of the Quality Cooperative Crew, and we hope to continue winning awards, but it’s really about our customers,” Cartwright said. “Without them we wouldn’t be needed, and I’m blessed because of that need. We have a fantastic customer base that keeps growing and we will strive to serve every person that steps in our building with a smile on our face.”

Salter encourages community members to come in for any questions they may have for the upcoming planting season. 

“It’s fall planting season, so it’s a big time for us,” Salter said. “Whatever your needs may be, whether it’s food plots for deer planting, cattle feed or you have basic cattle questions, come see us!”