Peanut Industry Poised For Growth In Atmore

Coastal Growers LLC celebrated its grand opening Feb. 23 in Atmore. The farmer-owned shelling facility can shell 25 tons of peanuts an hour. Above: From left are Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan; Federation District 12 Director Mark Kaiser, a Baldwin County farmer and Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) board member; Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Coastal Growers Director of Operations Anthony Daniels; and APPA Executive Director Jacob Davis.

Peanut Producers Poised For Progress As Shelling Plant Opens

By Marlee Moore

In just over a year, Coastal Growers LLC and its slate of partners and farmer-owners transformed a field into a state-of-the-art peanut shelling facility adding value to farmers’ crops.

Coastal Growers — owned by 195 farm families from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi — held its grand opening in Atmore Feb. 23.

“Coastal Growers is growing,” said Dirk Lindsey, the company’s president and CEO, as he addressed a large crowd. “Thank you for entrusting us with your money. Thank you for allowing me and our employees to be part of this venture.”

The 60-acre spread includes warehouses, cold storage facilities and a 65,000-square-foot shelling plant. The plant can shell 25 tons of peanuts an hour and yields seven products — including three sizes of edible peanuts, wildlife peanuts, oil stock peanuts and ground peanut hulls, which are sold and transformed into pellets for fuel overseas. Coastal Growers ships products to 11 countries on three continents.

One of Coastal Growers’ biggest advocates is U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, who attended the ribbon-cutting.

“It’s a miracle what has happened here in such short time,” Tuberville said. “This is going to help so many people have an easier way of making a living. That’s what it’s all about. You couldn’t do this anywhere else in the world other than the United States of America.”

Tuberville serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, where he fights for Alabama farmers and the state’s $70 billion agriculture industry.

“This gives you an opportunity, hopefully, to make more money,” Tuberville said. “Peanuts are making a huge run in the South. I hope it continues to get better, that we continue to grow in this state.”

Growing is second nature to Coastal Growers. The shelling plant employs just over 60 people today; with plans to top 100 by 2023. Railroad tracks are being laid to reach the plant, and future plans could include a seed cleaner. Coastal Growers operates out of nine buying points in Alabama and Georgia and recently bought a shelling plant in Tifton, Georgia, to better serve customers and mitigate drought risks.

“We’re a quality product, and our quality is what gets people to come back,” said Director of Operations Anthony Daniels.

Baldwin County farmer Mark Kaiser was one of hundreds of farmers on hand for the plant tour. Kaiser is District 12 director of the Alabama Farmers Federation state board.

“I’m proud of everyone who worked on this,” said Kaiser, standing with his son, George. “This facility is owned by the farmers who will use it, and they’ll keep those profits themselves. That’s good for both the farmers and for the immediate area because the money will just keep turning over locally.”

Coffee County Young Farmers Chosen For National Committee

Jonathan and Sara Sanders are new members of the national Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. The Coffee County row crop, timber and cattle farmers have a daughter, Ivey, and are expecting another daughter, Elliott, in late March.

By Marlee Moore

Jonathan Sanders was surrounded by thousands of young farmers at an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) conference when he leaned over to fellow Alabamian Jerry Allen Newby and said, “I want to serve on the national Young Farmers & Ranchers (YF&R) Committee.”

The bold seed planted in 2018 came to fruition in February when Jonathan and wife Sara were named to the committee during AFBF’s YF&R Leadership Conference in Louisville.

“Our primary goal is to build a network of unified voices across the nation talking about the importance of agriculture to our generation,” said Jonathan, 30, who grows peanuts, cotton, corn, cattle and timber in Coffee County’s Roeton community. “Most other states don’t have the level of involvement we have in Alabama. I want to use our experiences to help grow YF&R.”

The Sanders family joins a slate of farmers ages 18-35 representing every region of the U.S. The committee, whose 16 positions are filled by individuals or couples, is responsible for program planning, including YF&R competitive events and the Harvest for All program, which tracks YF&R food donations.

The youngest of six children whose parents are Alabama Farmers Federation leaders, Jonathan’s childhood was peppered with county and state Federation meetings. The Sanders’s daughter, 2-year-old Ivey, is already a meeting regular. The couple is expecting another daughter, Elliott, due in late March.

Jonathan grew his Federation experience with the Auburn University Young Farmers. After graduating with a degree in horticulture, he joined the Coffee County Young Farmers, eventually becoming chairman. Two terms on the State Young Farmers Committee followed, including a year as chair and an ex-officio seat on the state board. As a board member, he attended the AFBF Convention in Austin, Texas, where he was a voting delegate representing Alabama’s 340,000 member-families.

“My experiences taught me to listen to others; recognize strong leadership, gifts and talents in fellow farmers; and make decisions with others — not just for others,” Jonathan said.

Sara, a special education teacher at Ariton Elementary School, serves on the county Young Farmers Committee. The couple routinely recap their days with each other, a move helping Sara “experience” successes and challenges in Young Farmers programs.

The Sanders family said they strive to encourage Farm Bureau’s next generation of members, reach beginning farmers and amplify the organization’s voice.

“We all farm but bring different experiences to the table,” Jonathan said. “If we build strong relationships, we can help tackle issues our fellow farmers face.”

Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who nominated Jonathan and Sara, said the couple follows exceptional Alabama farmers who served nationally. Other representatives, who all served as committee chairmen, were Jim Brady, Perry County, 1963; Townsend Kyser, Hale County, 2008; Will Gilmer, Lamar County, 2010; and Jon Hegeman, Calhoun County, 2015. Jonathan can run for chairman in 2023.

“Jonathan has infused energy into our organization through a commitment to growing the Young Farmers program,” said Parnell, a Chilton County farmer and 1998 State Young Farmers Committee chairman. “He strives to increase an understanding of farming, the agricultural industry and Farm Bureau wherever he goes. Jonathan and Sara will serve AFBF with the same dedication and determination displayed in their leadership with the Alabama Farmers Federation.”

Despite his experience attending AFBF and YF&R conferences, Jonathan said he’s still learning how the committee practically helps county and state members.

“If my understanding isn’t strong — and I’ve attended conferences and meetings with national members — then I believe members’ understanding at the grassroots level is weak,” he said. “Strengthening communication between state committee leaders and national YF&R leaders is critical. When our state and national missions align, we are a better asset for members.”

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