PQ 48

PQ Fall 2023 issue 48

feature stories

a magazine from the

National Peanut Board

news/food/innovations/wellness/marketing

47 Years in Peanuts and A Lasting Legacy: 10 Chairmen on Parker’s Industry Impact

New Strategic Plan Sets Empowering Clinicians Future Roadmap, Builds to Prevent Peanut on Previous Success Allergies

Precision Sprayers Could Lead to a More Sustainable Future

NationalPeanutBoard.org

PQ The National Peanut Board works on behalf of America’s peanut farmers and their families. Our mission is to improve the economic condition of USA peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research.

National Peanut Board 2023 Officers and Members Paul Rogers, Chairman Greg Baltz, Vice Chairman Casey Cox Kerr, Treasurer Neal Baxley, Secretary Alabama Tom Corcoran Thomas Adams, alternate Arkansas Greg Baltz Allen Donner, alternate Florida William Carte Nick L. Marshall, alternate Georgia Casey Cox Kerr Wesley Webb, alternate Mississippi Lonnie Fortner Alan D. Atkins, alternate Missouri Clay Deane Russ Hoggard, alternate North Carolina Ray Garner Jr. Julie Ward, alternate Oklahoma Mark DeLeon Les Crall, alternate South Carolina Neal Baxley Doug Jarrell, alternate Texas Jeff Roper Mason Becker, alternate

A Message From Our 2023 Chairman Dear Fellow Peanut Farmers, Farming is one of those things that takes time.

If you’re looking for instant gratification, you’re in the wrong line of work. The thing about time, though, is it’s finite. We only have so much time in the day. Plus, on top of farming, we have other important parts of our lives. We have our family and friends. We need to remember to put family first throughout the craziness of every day on the farm.

While being chairman, I’ve had to manage my time more efficiently. I’ve attended all types of industry events from the Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, to the National Peanut Buying Point Winter Conference in Point Clear, Alabama. But one thing I’ve made sure I’ve done is be there for my family. While I was at the American Peanut Research and Education Society conference in Savannah, Georgia, I had to leave early for my son Cade’s baseball tournament. While I hated to leave early and miss some of the research, it was more important to be there for Cade and coach the team. I’m happy to report that we were able to finish second and we got to advance to the next round, which was one step away from the Pony Baseball World Series in Louisiana.

One of the top priorities of being the 2023 chairman is finding a successor to Bob Parker. In our search, we looked for someone who has a passion for peanuts and who is a strong advocate for the industry. The National Peanut Board’s (NPB) mission is to improve the economic condition of U.S. peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research.

We made sure to look for someone who is committed and determined to follow through with our mission. I assure you that whoever we hire will have these qualities. At the time I’m writing this, the search committee and I have done several rounds of interviews and brought our top candidate to the Board. By the time that you read this, the announcement may have already been made and I encourage you to visit our website to find out more. But no matter who the next leader of NPB is, one thing is for certain: we’re in good hands and we’re going to keep heading in the right direction.

Thank you to my fellow peanut farmers for trusting us with this decision.

Virginia Paul Rogers West Drake, alternate At-Large Lucy Shackelford Clifford Neece, alternate

Bob Parker NPB President and CEO

Paul Rogers Chairman

PQ Editorial Staff & Contributors Editor: Lindsay Stevens SVP & Chief Marketing Officer: Ryan Lepicier Lauren Highfill Williams

Kaley Volkmann

Markita Lewis, MS, RDN

Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD

Sandra Flores, Art Direction Zarina Waldo, Senior Designer & Illustrator Silvia Flores, Copy Manager Samantha P. Perez, Junior Designer & Illustrator Terence P. Ward, Proofreader

1

Rogers’ and Cade’s team after the baseball tournament.

CONTACT INFORMATION 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1150 • Atlanta, Georgia 30339 • toll-free tel: 866.825.7946 • tel: 678.424.5750 • fax: 678.424.5751 email: peanuts@NationalPeanutBoard.org • web: NationalPeanutBoard.org

A Future of Challenges and Opportunities

BY BOB PARKER President & CEO

I can’t believe this is my last column as president and CEO of the National Peanut Board (NPB). As my tenure ends, I am grateful to the Board in 2012 for believing in me to successfully lead this great organization. There is still work to do, and I regret not having another 10 to 20 years to work on behalf of America’s peanut farmers and their families.

A worry now is how we will market even more peanuts. Research breakthroughs on the horizon will lead to ever-higher yields and production. I expect to see 4-million-ton crops within the next 10 years.

Our domestic and export markets are mature and will have difficulty absorbing this additional production.

Since joining NPB, we have accomplished a lot working together as an industry. The most measurable evidence of this success is that domestic per capita consumption has reached record levels in recent years. Our work in production research has also paid off. Our average national yield is running about 4,000 lbs. per acre with recent crops averaging 3 million tons1. Prior to 2012, yields were around 3,000 lbs. with crops of about 2 million tons.

We need new uses for peanuts on top of traditional food uses. We produce 5.8% of the world’s peanuts, but less than 2% of the peanut oil2. We are a net importer of peanut oil. We should supply our own domestic needs and tap into the huge global demand for peanut oil. In addition, there are emerging opportunities for peanut oil as a biofuel. Thinking outside the box will allow us to increase efficiency in producing peanut oil to be more competitive with other types of oils and other origins.

A worry 10 years ago was if we succeed in increased yield and productivity, how will we avoid an oversupply? Fortunately, we have grown the domestic and export markets to keep pace with our production — and our production has kept pace with increased demand. Marketing and promotion go hand in hand with production research to keep the supply and demand in balance while steadily expanding.

There are other emerging markets for peanuts, such as premium animal feed. Recent research shows that feeding chickens high-oleic peanuts improves egg and meat quality. I had a mentor who always said, ‘we don’t have problems, we have opportunities.’ The peanut industry has opportunities to continue growth and to prosper in the coming years and I look forward to seeing where the future takes you.

Sources 1 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Crop Production 2022 Summary (January 2023). ² USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Oil Seeds: World Markets and Trade Report

2

PQ

New Strategic Plan Sets Future Roadmap, Builds on Previous Success

By Lauren Highfill Williams

National Peanut Board (NPB) leadership undertook developing a new strategic plan in 2022. Approved by the Board in February 2023, the new strategic plan sets NPB’s mission, vision and strategies for success through 2025. The previous plan guided work through 2020, with a Board-approved extension through 2022 due to the pandemic.

NPB’s mission remains the same: to improve the economic condition of U.S. peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research.

Highlights of key updates to the plan include: Strategy I: Grow Consumption by Increasing the Passion for Peanuts Among Gen Z and Millennials

We’ll incorporate Gen Z into consumer promotions while maintaining a core focus on millennials. These groups are establishing their food preferences and can influence older and younger generations.

Strategy II: Drive Toward the Eradication of Peanut Allergy

With growing support for early introduction to prevent peanut allergy, the first FDA-approved treatment for peanut allergy and additional solutions in the pipeline, we are more strongly positioned to push toward a world beyond peanut allergy.

Strategy V: Channel the Value Growers See in NPB Into Greater Engagement

We’ve reincorporated engaging with peanut growers from underrepresented groups into the main strategic plan.

We’ve also evolved from increasing industry awareness of NPB to active engagement.

Strategy VI: Position the Organization for a Sustainable Future

Recognizing that this plan takes us through the transition to a new CEO, we added this strategy to ensure NPB is fully prepared to evolve successfully.

3

The 2020/2022 plan met many of its goals. Highlights include: Production Research

We’ve shaped the direction and focus of peanut production research to maximize the benefits for the American grower through collaborations with other industry groups, including projects with NIFA and genomics.

Grower & Industry Relations

The 2019 referendum resulted in a 93% approval rate.

Additionally, the assessment calculation was updated to protect NPB should the marketing loan rate ever be adjusted downward.

Brand Reputation

The food allergy community at large no longer views NPB as an adversary, but instead as an empathetic partner in search of solutions. This has been achieved through NPB’s Allergy Council, partnerships with world-renowned researchers and continued relationship building.

Marketing & Promotion

Peanuts are the favorite nut of millennials. This generation tends to consume more and rate peanuts and peanut butter more favorably.

National Peanut Board Strategies and Initiatives Our Mission: To improve the economic condition of USA peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research.

I

Grow Consumption by Increasing the Passion for Peanuts Among Gen Z and Millennials

II

Drive Toward the Eradication of Peanut Allergy

IV

Maximize Impact of Production Research

• Position peanuts as the most affordable, healthy and sustainable nut.

• Drive partnership, engagement and product offerings among foodservice, retail and manufacturers.

• Establish baseline to measure Gen Z’s (18+) passion for peanuts.

• Provide education and opportunities for industry marketing alignment.

III

Protect Progress to Date and Continue to Remove Barriers to Consumption • Maintain robust monitoring system that targets relevant issues.

• Leverage NPB’s thought leadership to address key barriers and emerging opportunities.

• Proactively communicate to industry and consumers to shape the conversation around barriers through multiple channels.

• Incorporate message training about barriers and opportunities into the National Marketing Summit and/or other activities.

• Ensure Crisis Management Plan is updated and communicated yearly, every March/April, and is included in the Board Policy Manual.

V

Channel the Value Growers See in NPB Into Greater Engagement • Communicate to and train Board Members, Alternates and Team Members on NPB’s mission and priorities.

• Maintain NPB’s position as a valued partner and industry thought leader.

• Implement initiatives for growers of color and other underrepresented groups.

• Increase awareness of and encourage participation in APC’s U.S. Sustainable Peanut Program.

• Advance peanut allergy solutions through research.

• Educate and equip healthcare professionals (HCPs) to make Early Introduction (EI) the standard of care.

• Identify and address barriers/information gaps in peanut allergy.

• Encourage collaboration to speed adoption of EI and efficient use of resources.

• Engage groups to advance collaborative industry thought leadership regarding research.

• Increase the frequency, quality and dissemination of research outcomes.

• Change the Peanut Order to improve production research contracting process.

• Increase grower awareness of impact of NPB-funded research.

VI

Position the Organization for a Sustainable Future • Conduct responsibilities and skills review and create staff development plans based on findings.

• Successfully identify and fill needs with current CEO retirement.

• Formalize current Management Routines and establish quarterly Strategic Reviews.

• Document and review operational procedures.

4

PQ

NPB VISION 2025 What does success look like three years from now when we have been guided by our values, guiding principles and mission? Below is a portion of our vision.

Marketing & Promotion • More people are eating peanuts in more ways. Per

capita consumption is 8 lbs.

• We’ve evolved our marketing priorities research

Grower & Industry Relations • 2024 referendum receives +90% support.

• NPB leads in identifying and communicating with

and approach to meet the growing influence of Gen Z and millennials.

growers of color and other underrepresented groups and what is needed for them to participate more fully in their state organization.

• U.S. brands, manufacturers and retailers seek out

• NPB supports the success of the American Peanut

NPB as a collaborative partner and thought leader in business development, product innovation and consumer promotions.

Council sustainability initiative.

• NPB-sponsored Peanut Leadership Academy (PLA)

• Diverse partners and promotions are integral to the

graduates are engaged attendees of NPB meetings (one per year) in the two years following PLA.

Brand Reputation

Capabilities

• We’re effective at shaping direction and alignment

• We’ve identified and filled the needs in expertise

peanut community.

in marketing and messaging across industry organizations.

• EI is recommended by 75% of HCPs and

pediatricians and adopted by 70% of parents.

• NPB is a trusted partner in mitigating the impacts of

crises.

Production Research

related to CEO transition.

• We have a strong, consistent and flexible strategic

planning process (3-5-year plan, yearly plan, quarterly reviews).

• We have a set of management routines in the areas

of strategies, marketing and finance to monitor and track progress against business objectives and make needed adjustments.

• More varieties with other disease resistance and

other beneficial traits have been released or are in the pipeline.

• Maintain NIFA funding.

• Increased relationships with state organizations,

extension specialists and growers on researchrelated issues.

• We have a meaningful way of reviewing outcomes

or progress of each research project.

5

Scan the QR code to see the full Strategic Plan.

Precision Sprayers

Could Lead to a More Sustainable Future

By Lindsay Stevens

The agriculture sector is abuzz with new advancements in farm technology, and drones are a conversation topic at almost every major meeting. Since its inception, the National Peanut Board (NPB) has secured more than $45 million in production research funding through budgeted allocations and industry matching funds. Two researchers studying drones whose projects are partially funded by NPB are Dr. Maria Balota and Dr. Steve Li.

Another professor working on drones is Dr. Li, who is an associate professor and extension specialist at Auburn University. Dr. Li’s research compares spray drones to common application methods such as ground sprayers and airplanes. His research also evaluates spray drones for efficacy and drift potential and optimizes flight and spray patterns for maximum efficiency.

Mapping drones, spray drones and image analysis software Dr. Balota is a professor and extension specialist at Virginia have become commercially available. Dr. Li says these tools Tech, and she is one of the scientists studying how we can offer new opportunities for farmers, such as spot spraying, use and develop this technology. Dr. Balota uses drones for variable rate application, stand count, crop growth analysis a process called high-throughput phenotyping (HTP). HTP and more. is a non-destructive and rapid approach to monitoring and measuring multiple traits related to the growth, yield and “Growers are able to apply chemicals more precisely to adaptation to biotic or abiotic stress. reduce overall usage, drift and off-target movement,” Dr. Li said. “Drones can also operate with much less water “My program developed several HTP methods for peanut requirement compared to broadcast application … Drones selection for disease resistance, early and late leaf spot, will not cause soil compaction and erosion, use much less tolerance to drought and heat, and plant traits related to fuel compared to a ground sprayer, do not leak hydraulic oil yield, for example, early plant vigor, leaf area, leaf color and are way cheaper to repair.” and growth,” Dr. Balota said. “These methods are based on canopy reflectance signatures specific to stress conditions The price of drones, while dramatically less expensive in captured by aerial imaging using drones. We are currently recent years, is still elevated. Time to recovery of investment working on using the same technology to determine when cost, simplicity of the algorithms behind the tools, and peanuts are mature and can be dug and help, in this way, availability of service and technical support should all be the farmers better schedule their end-of-season operations.” factors farmers consider when looking to purchase one of these new tools.

According to Dr. Balota, newer drone models are built increasingly smaller and can stay in the air longer due to “Growers who are interested in spray drones should consider battery life. What makes new drones especially impressive how much time they can spend on these drones and how is their ability to manage data and take high-quality images. many acres they can spray with it,” Dr. Li said. “Depreciation is a problem, and their life span is usually around 3-5 years “Resolution is paramount for aerial images,” Dr. Balota before being discontinued by manufacturers.” said. “We are talking centimeter and sub-centimeter pixel resolution images. The amount of images collected in this As for the future of drones, one thing is certain — research way is impressive, and their storage, analysis and availability will continue, and technological capabilities will expand. to the end user are becoming very important. Computer Stay tuned for the next latest and greatest advancement in vision and machine learning packages are now increasingly precision agriculture. more used to decipher the crop information from these images.”

6

4 7 y e a r s i n p e a n u ts r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r 4 7 y e a r s i n p e a n u ts r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r s 4 7 y e a rs in pean r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r e a r s i n p e a n u ts 4 r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r 4 7 y e a r s i n p e a n u ts r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r 4 7 y e a r s i n p e a n u ts r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r 4 7 y e a r s i n p e a n u ts r s i n p e a n u ts 4 7 y e a r PQ

By Lindsay Stevens

In 2012, the National Peanut Board (NPB) hired Bob Parker to take over as president and CEO. Parker had grown up on a peanut farm, worked for Golden Peanut Company, and had close to 40 years of experience under his belt.

“When NPB needed a new president, I recommended him to some of the NPB members,” said George Birdsong, CEO of Birdsong Peanuts. “I said that they should consider Bob even though he had a sheller background! I said he is always honest and professional. Thankfully, NPB hired him and his service to the growers and the entire peanut industry has been outstanding.”

In the time Parker has served the industry, a lot has changed. We’ve gone from having open-air tractors to precision agriculture tools. Research has pushed forward, and peanuts have gone from being a food allergy poster child to an ally.

7

8

n p e a n u ts

PQ

Peanut Allergy Journey

At its seating in 2000, the members of the very first Board for NPB recognized their potential to be part of the solution.

To that end, NPB has invested more than $36 million since its inception toward food allergy outreach, education and research. NPB provided funding for Dr. Gideon Lack’s 2008 study and the LEAP study, which was published in 2015. The LEAP study laid the foundation for new guidelines about peanut allergy prevention. While there was financial support, Parker’s role as a grandparent of a child with a peanut allergy helped connect him on a deeper level.

n p e a n u ts s n p e a n u ts e a r s i n p e a n u ts n p e a n u ts Parker met Dr. Brian Vickery, allergy/immunology division chief and founding director of the Food Allergy Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, while visiting UNC-Chapel Hill for his grandson’s evaluation.

(L-R): Kaley Volkmann, Golin, and Parker at the 2022 Next Gen Food Summit in Napa, California.

“We immediately built a relationship over our Georgia roots and shared love of Bulldog football and became allies in the fight against food allergy through research,” Dr. Vickery said. “Subsequently, Bob was instrumental in championing my efforts to bring a food allergy research center to Atlanta, and he and NPB have remained steadfast supporters.

Throughout the time I’ve known him, he’s always been a regular presence in our professional meetings, traveling all over the world to engage with thought leaders, learn, and advance initiatives to prevent allergy in the first place through early infant feeding — a major scientific breakthrough that was made possible by NPB funding.”

In addition to continuing NPB’s efforts to eradicate peanut allergies through funding research, Parker started to attend various allergy conferences and build positive relationships with food allergy advocates. One important connection was with Eleanor Garrow-Holding, president and CEO of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Connection Team (FAACT).

(L-R): Chef JJ Johnson, Margaret Ann Parker and Bob Parker at NPB’s Perfectly Powerful Peanut Pop­- Up in New York City in 2015.

n p e a n u ts

“Without Bob’s leadership and NPB, FAACT would not have been able to accomplish all that we have through the years — along with all the research that you have supported,” said Garrow-Holding. “Bob is leaving a legacy and should be very proud. Thank you for all you have done for the allergy community and our families — and for your friendship.”

n p e a n u ts

n p e a n u ts 9

(L-R): Andy Bell, 2021 NPB Chairman, Bob Parker, David Spector, who spoke at the event for Japanese journalists and influencers about his love for peanut butter while growing up in America, and Mark Kaiser, an Alabama grower, at an American Peanut Council Trade Mission in Japan in 2019.

Peanut Production Research Allergy is not the only area that has changed substantially in the past few decades. Significant advancements have been made in peanut production research as well. The 197475 crop year saw 3.7 billion lbs. of peanuts harvested1. The 2021 crop was 6.4 billion lbs2. The impact of research over the past 50 years cannot be understated and the increased yields are a direct result.

Since its founding, NPB has funded research projects related to leaf-spot resistance, the peanut genome, aflatoxin risk and more. Parker has prioritized what he feels will make the biggest impact and also has served in leadership positions in other organizations to see how NPB can help.

“My interaction [with Bob] is primarily through his strong support of research,” said Steve Brown, executive director of the Peanut Research Foundation. “Bob has served on the board of the Peanut Research Foundation and has been a clear leader impacting the direction of the Peanut Genome Initiative. The enormous impacts of that initiative will continue for years after his retirement. His advice and friendship have been invaluable to me personally.”

Forward-Looking Perhaps one of the greatest impacts Parker has had on the industry is his dissemination of knowledge. Parker has served as a well of knowledge since he has worked in almost every sector of the industry. The knowledge he has passed along will continue to aid the peanut industry for the years to come.

“From my first day on the job, Parker has been a colleague I could go to for insights on how all aspects of the peanut industry work,” said Richard Owen, American Peanut Council president. “He was able to pull from his vast sheller experience, as well as his time leading growers at NPB. He is a master facilitator, knowing when to pull stakeholders together to address a common issue.”

Parker served as a constant in the peanut industry for 47 years. While his legacy will leave a lasting impact, Bob’s leadership presence at the helm of NPB will be missed.

Sources 1 Rattner, Steven. “Peanuts: From Carver to Carter.” The New York Times, 24 Aug. 1976, p. 37. ² “Peanuts.” Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, Apr. 2022, www.agmrc.org/commodities-products/nuts/peanut-profile.

10

A Lasting

PQ 1

2

3

4

5

8

9

Legacy: 6

10

7

10

Chairmen on Parker’s Industry Impact

Each chairman of the National Peanut Board (NPB) serves a one-year term and has a direct line to our president and CEO. Since the start of his tenure in 2012, Bob Parker held weekly calls with the chairman, discussing everything from family news and happenings on the farm to program updates and industry activities. Tight bonds were formed over the years, so we asked these industry leaders to reflect on what they believe was important about Parker’s time as CEO and how he has impacted the future of NPB and the industry at large.

11

1

Vic Jordan | 2013 “Bob was the right man at the right time to take the NPB to the next level. It is his lasting legacy that he was able to unite the industry together across segments for the common good.”

2 John Harrell | 2014 “Of Bob’s long career in the industry, his legacy will be NPB. He took the allergy work we had already done and brought it to the next level. Not only has our work helped prevent peanut allergies for children by spreading awareness, but we’ve sold a lot more peanuts because of it.”

3

Gayle White | 2016 “The first thing that comes to mind about Bob is that he brought cohesiveness to our industry, which is a great achievement. NPB has thrived under his leadership. Thank you, Bob, and I wish you all the best in your retirement.”

4

Ed White | 2017 “Bob Parker is a true friend. One that a person only has a relationship with few in a lifetime. Not only was he a great CEO, but he loved the product and the industry he served. He wanted the peanut farmer and the industry to prosper.

There are few who grew up from childhood in the peanut industry and retired in the same. Bob, we love you and wish the best for you in your retirement.”

5

Greg Gil | 2018 “I think the biggest challenge was and still is the misconceptions about peanut allergies. Bob has always had great insight into the problem, partly because his grandson has a peanut allergy. He has seemingly made it his mission to find answers, and I believe because of his diligence, great strides have been made in this area. I think the biggest advancement has been the early introduction of peanuts to reduce the allergy in children. Getting information out to the public about the continued research has been crucial to helping the public understand allergies better.”

6

Dan Ward | 2019 “I spent all my years on NPB as research chairman and when I became Chairman of the whole Board, I continued my emphasis on research. Bob and I had many conversations about how to leverage our funds and our needs to maximize returns to our growers. Bob was the most influential person in the industry in our quest to receive NIFA funding for large research projects. He has the ability to successfully interact with researchers, university leadership and farmers. His vision and leadership are a big reason our genomics work has been so successful.”

12

PQ

7

Peter Froese Jr. | 2020 “What sticks with me from my time as chairman is our weekly Wednesday morning phone conversations where Bob would inform me of the past week’s accomplishments and we’d discuss the next week’s plans. It was an excellent way to keep on track and pursue the set goals. Unfortunately, 2020 was a very challenging year for all of us. All of our plans that had been carefully mapped out for 2020 were placed on hold. I was happy to have Bob on the team to think up new ways to communicate that the plans and goals for 2020 were not abandoned and could be accomplished.”

8

Andy Bell | 2021 “There are many accomplishments I could go into. During his tenure, our research money has been spread further through grants from NIFA and USDA, we’ve made great strides to help eradicate peanut allergies with early introduction, and the industry has a unified message. While Chairman, I enjoyed my weekly chats discussing peanuts and the Board with Bob. His knowledge of the industry from all of his positions over the years was invaluable to me.”

9

Les Crall | 2022 “I just have the greatest respect for Bob. He is a man of integrity and it made me, as a grower, very proud to be in meetings with him. During his tenure at NPB, Bob has been an amazing team builder and represented growers very well. But more than that, he’s worked hard for the entirety of the industry, from growers to manufacturers to buying points to shellers and more. His work in both the peanut industry and allergy community will leave a lasting legacy.”

10 Paul Rogers | 2023 “He, as well as the NPB staff, have developed a great Strategic Plan for NPB’s future. Bob will leave big shoes to fill with his vast knowledge and connections in all parts of the peanut industry and allergy community. His expertise in estimating the size of the upcoming crop for budgeting purposes is remarkable. As chairman, I take the search for his successor very seriously. The Search Committee will find the best person for the job. His previously mentioned knowledge and unique experience of going through the process 10 years ago gives not only me but the entire committee guidance and direction on what to look for.”

13

Fueling Champions with The18

By Lindsay Stevens

Continuing our work with The18, the National Peanut Board (NPB) teamed up to promote peanuts during the women’s soccer tournament in July and August.

First, The18 spoke with Chef Teren Green, the renowned chef behind the U.S. women’s soccer team in 2019. From France to fueling champions, Chef T’s story is one of passion, teamwork and creating protein-rich recipes for athletes.

You can read more about Chef T’s story and see how a selftaught Detroit chef went from the dish pit to cooking on the biggest sports stage in the world by scanning the QR code.

The18 also worked with Chef T to create some delicious recipes to keep players fueled. These recipes include peanut butter protein balls, peanut butter bananas foster, crunchy peanut sushi, grilled chicken skewers with peanut chili sauce and udon noodles with peanut chili sauce.

In addition to working with Chef T, NPB ran advertisements on The18’s site that led to our website if clicked. NPB also sponsored a video where dogs would pick between two peanut buttery treats to decide which women’s soccer teams would win the match or make it through to the next round.

From our activations associated with the tournament, we received 4.75 million total impressions, 2.5 million content engagements and a 52% engagement rate. Our 2022-23 campaign resulted in 15.9 million impressions and 4.37 million content engagements. The display and pre-roll video ads have received 5.127 million on-site ad impressions.

Learn more about our campaign with The18 by scanning the QR code below.

Chef T at the shoot for The18 and NPB’s “Fueling Champions” series. Photo courtesy of The18.

14

PQ

Peanut Patch Shows Promise

With Toddlers Who Have Peanut Allergies

By Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD This summer, the results of a study on the novel “Research has shown that many families prefer a non-oral epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT aka the “peanut option, and Viaskin Peanut may one day prove to be a patch”) to treat toddlers with peanut allergy was published viable choice for these individuals,” Dr. Greenhawt said. in The New England Journal of Medicine called “Phase “Viaskin Peanut uses a novel approach called EPIT, which 3 Trial of Epicutaneous Immunotherapy in Toddlers with is a route of desensitization that takes advantage of the Peanut Allergy.” The study was a multi-center, double-blind, skin being the largest immune organ in the body. Viaskin randomized placebo-controlled trial including 362 patients Peanut produces a level of protection utilizing much smaller 1-3 years of age with peanut allergy confirmed by a double- doses of peanut protein compared to an oral therapy. EPIT blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. Patients who had is applied once a day, and the dose is rarely associated an eliciting dose (the dose necessary to elicit an allergic with systemic side effects. Moreover, the child’s activities reaction) of 300 mg or less of peanut protein were assigned do not need to be adjusted around the dose and can even in a 2:1 ratio to receive epicutaneous immunotherapy be applied when the child is ill, which is different from other delivered by means of a peanut patch (intervention group) therapies.” or to receive placebo administered daily for 12 months. The results found that 84.8% of the 362 patients completed As researchers continue to look for what exactly causes the trial. Treatment with the patch resulted in 67% of and how we can prevent the development of food allergies, children in the intervention group successfully achieving treating those managing the condition remains important. the primary endpoint (being able to eat substantially more peanut without reaction), as compared with 33.5% Reducing the risk of severe food allergy reactions through of those in the placebo group. Limitations of the study treatments like immunotherapy will continue to be an include the exclusion of patients with a history of severe essential part of food allergy research until a cure is found. peanut anaphylaxis, lack of racial diversity among patients, The National Peanut Board and the food allergy community unknown treatment duration and the fact that sustained continue to follow emerging treatments and novel therapies effects after treatment cessation were not assessed. This to reverse and protect those with food allergies. is still an experimental treatment only available in research settings, and more research is needed. EPIT is not a cure Read the full article by scanning the QR code below. for peanut allergy but may reduce the risk of anaphylaxis upon accidental ingestion of peanut-containing foods.

“Growing evidence from early introduction studies suggests that the allergic immune system is more modifiable early in life,” said the study’s primary investigator Matthew Greenhawt, MD, MBA, MSc, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and co-director of the Children’s Hospital Colorado Food Challenge Unit. “Peanut allergy is commonly diagnosed very early in life, and fewer than 29% will naturally outgrow peanut allergy by age 6.”

While immunotherapy is not a cure for food allergies, increasing the threshold for severe reactions means that families can have less fear about the potential of lifethreatening anaphylaxis, although they still must avoid the allergen and carry epinephrine just in case. Since there’s still no cure, Dr. Greenhawt believes that it’s important to have options for families to choose based on their preferences, lifestyles and risk tolerance.

15

Source Greenhawt, M., Sindher, S. B., et al. (2023). Phase 3 trial of epicutaneous immunotherapy in toddlers with peanut allergy. New England Journal of Medicine, 388(19), 1755–1766. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2212895

Empowering Clinicians to

Prevent Peanut Allergies

By Sherry Coleman Collins, MS, RDN, LD

Preventing peanut allergies continues to be a significant focus for researchers and clinicians in the food allergy world — and the National Peanut Board (NPB) is providing support in a variety of ways. One known gap is in getting infants in to see allergists when there’s concern about them being high risk for developing peanut allergies. NPB has been supporting the work of Michael Pistiner, MD, MSC, director of Food Allergy Advocacy, Education and Prevention in the Food Allergy Center at Mass General for Children. Dr. Pistiner and his team have developed the Food Allergy Management and Prevention Support Tool for Infants and Toddlers (FAMP-IT), a free web-based tool for clinicians.

“The FAMP-IT toolkit was developed to support primary care clinician decision-making regarding food allergy prevention and management in infants and toddlers,” Dr. Pistiner said.

“It can help clinicians implement interventions that can prevent peanut allergies by utilizing the NIAID guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergies in the U.S. and other supporting guidelines and research.”

The toolkit was developed to address the known gap in knowledge about the latest recommendations amongst primary care providers and to share the evidence for early introduction in reducing the risk of peanut allergies because of unnecessary delays in feeding infants peanut foods.

Dr. Pistiner and Coleman Collins presented together at the annual National WIC Association conference in May 2023.

“We know that delayed oral introduction of peanut foods in infancy significantly increases the risk of developing clinically relevant peanut allergy,” Dr. Pistiner said.

“Unfortunately, access to pediatric allergists is so limited that it can take months to get an appointment if a healthcare provider thinks it’s necessary for a high-risk infant. In that time, a child can lose the opportunity to tolerate a food that they would have if they hadn’t delayed the introduction. The goal [of FAMP-IT] is to help non-allergists intervene quickly to prevent food allergy development while there’s still time in the critical window, around 6 months.”

Overcoming barriers to early introduction of peanut foods to prevent peanut allergies is a key part of moving the needle. The more empowered, comfortable and confident healthcare providers feel in this area, the more empowered, comfortable and confident parents will be — moving us closer to a time when peanut allergies may be a thing of the past.

Healthcare providers can access the FAMP-IT tool at www.famp-it.org.

Since 2001, NPB has invested more than $36 million in food allergy research, outreach and education.

16

PQ

Honey & Mustard Ribs

The National Peanut Board (NPB) attended the 29th Annual Chef Culinary Conference hosted by UMass Dining at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As a sponsor, NPB highlighted peanuts as a plant-based protein option and discussed how this versatile ingredient fits into culturally driven and globally inspired recipes and practices. Below is one of two recipes NPB showcased. There will be leftover peanut vinaigrette, honey and mustard BBQ glaze and pork BBQ rub for you to use for other meals.

Honey & Mustard Ribs Recipe Total cook time: 5 hours Serving size: 2 ribs Ingredients • • • • • • • •

Directions

2 pieces green butter lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry 2 pieces red butter lettuce leaves, washed and patted dry 3 each red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and sliced into spears 6 – 8 charred runner peanuts 2 teaspoons peanut vinaigrette — see peanut vinaigrette recipes below 2 each baby back pork ribs, rubbed — slow roasted & basted until very tender — see pork BBQ rub recipe below 2 ounces carolina gold BBQ sauce — see honey and mustard BBQ glaze recipe below ¼ cup mixed microgreens, loosely packed

1. Lay butter lettuce leaves down on the right side of the plate.

2. Top leaves with three bell pepper spears.

3. Scatter leaves with charred peanuts.

4. Shingle the two ribs next to the lettuce.

5. Spoon sauce over the baby back ribs.

6. Drizzle the peanut vinaigrette over the lettuce leaves.

7. Garnish salad base with a pinch of microgreens and serve immediately.

Honey & Mustard BBQ Glaze Recipe Yield: 2 cups = 20 portions Serving size: 5 teaspoons Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • •

1 cup yellow mustard ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup apple cider vinegar 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 4 tablespoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons wildflower honey 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and minced 2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds 1 tablespoon PBfit peanut powder To taste kosher salt To taste black pepper, freshly ground

Photo courtesy of Sandra Flores.

17

Directions 1. Combine all ingredients except for PBfit peanut powder in a small saucepan.

2. Heat in non-reactive saucepan over medium heat until sugar is melted.

3. Reduce heat to low.

4. Simmer to reduce by ⅓.

5. Remove saucepan from direct heat.

6. Add PBfit peanut powder and whisk to combine.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Pork BBQ Rub Recipe Serving size: 1 tablespoon per rack Ingredients • • • • • • • •

Directions

3 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons smoked paprika 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon red chile powder 2 teaspoons onion powder ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper

1. Measure all ingredients into a small mixing bowl.

2. Whisk together to combine thoroughly.

3. Coat ribs with pork BBQ rub.

4. Slow cook bone side down on a foil-lined tray in a conventional oven uncovered for 2.5 to 3 hours at 275 degrees, or foil wrapped for 3 hours at 300 degrees.

Peanut Vinaigrette Yield: 1 cup = 10 portions Serving size: 5 teaspoons Ingredients • • • • • •

⅓ cup creamy peanut butter 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1 teaspoon honey ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground 2 tablespoons denatured peanut oil

Directions 1. Combine peanut butter, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a blender jar, cover tightly and pulse to combine.

2. With the blender on medium speed, stream in the peanut oil.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

4. Vinaigrette should lightly coat the back of a spoon.

Nutrition information per serving: Calories: 317, Calories from Fat: 201, Fat: 22.4 g Trans fats: 0, Cholesterol: 91 mg, Carbohydrate: 3 g Protein: 26 g, Fiber: 0.8 g, Sodium: 157 mg

18

PQ

Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Oklahoma Peanut Commission and South Carolina Peanut Board

Name New Executive Directors

Libbie Johnson

Alabama Peanut Producers Association The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) announced Louisiana-native Libbie Johnson as their new executive director, taking over from previous APPA executive director Jacob Davis.

Johnson graduated from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, earning both a Bachelor of Science in plant science and a Bachelor of Arts in political science. She also earned her Master of Science in agroecology from the University of Florida.

Since 2003, Johnson has focused on working with production agriculture growers. In addition to her role with the APPA, she is currently a Country Agriculture Agent III for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension offices. In this role, Johnson works with growers, industry, leaders, governmental agencies, and legislative staff from the tri-state area of Florida, Georgia and Alabama to form strong working groups and take actions to maintain and improve agricultural production.

Johnson is an active member of several organizations. She served as the Florida Association of County Agriculture Agents’ past president, president, president-elect and secretary, as well as, serving as the 2022 National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference co-chair. Johnson is also involved with the Florida Farm Bureau and the UF/IFAS Peanut Team and is a former team leader for the EscaRosa Young Farmers and Ranchers Program.

“Whether it is more technical information, or support at the state/national level, or having more understanding of the specifics of Alabama farmers, I want to be there with our APPA team to help champion our growers,” Johnson said. “Though this is a ‘small’ American commodity, it greatly impacts the dietary lives of people worldwide. I am proud to be a part of this industry, and I hope I can only make the peanut industry stronger.”

19

David Nowlin

Oklahoma Peanut Commission

David Nowlin began as executive director for the Oklahoma Peanut Commission (OPC) in April of this year. Previously, Nowlin worked for the Caddo County Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension Office in Anadarko, Oklahoma for 28 years, then the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in 2021.

Nowlin graduated from OSU with a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and a Master of Science in plant pathology. Nowlin’s thesis was on peanut pod rot.

Before working for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service in Caddo County, Nowlin held several positions with Cargill Seed Division including technical sales manager, regional agronomist for Cargill Seed, technical seed production manager, and canola production and sales. Before that, Nowlin worked as a crop consultant in peanuts, cotton, wheat and alfalfa with Crop Guard, Inc in Oklahoma, which he co-owned.

Nowlin and his wife Tracy live in Anadarko. Their son Cole recently graduated from Cameron University and works in Lawton, Oklahoma, and their daughter Kelsey lives in Lewisville, Texas, and is a graphic designer.

“There is so much to be done in Oklahoma,” Nowlin said. “We need to educate our youth and the public on agriculture. Not only where their food comes from and the production of peanuts, but also the nutritional value and importance of peanuts in their diet. We need to increase our research funding from all areas and to do that we need more acres in the state of Oklahoma.”

Katherine Helms

South Carolina Peanut Board

The South Carolina Peanut Board (SCPB) announced its new executive director Katherine Helms in June. Helms has more than seven years of experience within the agricultural industry and is housed at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition to serving as marketing specialist and executive director for SCPB, she currently serves as the executive director and marketing specialist for three other South Carolina commodity boards, cotton, pork and tobacco.

Before being a commodity marketing specialist, Helms served as a utility marketing specialist for the SCDA for two years. Helms attended Clemson University and received a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness in 2018.

During her time at Clemson, Helms was a student worker for the Agribusiness Program Team with Clemson Extension.

Agriculture has always been a key part of Helms’s life. She resides in Bishopville, South Carolina on her family farm, where they raise beef cattle and produce hay.

“I am excited to now serve the peanut growers of South Carolina,” Helms said. “I look forward to working with the industry and helping with advances in production and research in South Carolina peanuts. I am also honored to follow behind the leadership of Marianne Catalano, who led SCPB for 10 years.”

20

Peanut-Inspired Takeaways From the

Next Gen Food Summit

PQ This April, the National Peanut Board (NPB) hosted the Next Gen Food Summit at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at COPIA in Napa, California. The event brings together professional chefs, food service directors, consumer package goods brands, media contributors and dietitians to discuss the tastes of the next generation and how to reach this growing, evolving audience.

By Kaley Volkmann

The event featured a live cooking demonstration by the winner of Fox’s “Next Level Chef” Pyet DeSpain, along with presentations on Top Culinary Trends of 2023; Trending Tastes of Gen Z; Creating Engaging Digital Content; Advocating for Access; and Evolutions in Peanut Farming.

Attendees also participated in an interactive market basket challenge. They were given limited ingredients and challenged to create a dish inspired by the culinary trends discussed while highlighting peanuts in unique, delicious ways.

From presentations to menu items, peanuts were the star of the show. Here are four ways to incorporate peanuts into current culinary trends.

1 The Brown Butter and Peanuts Duo 3 Globalize With Peanuts According to Flavor & The Menu’s 2023 Top Trends brown butter is having a moment1. Brown butter and peanuts make a tasty duo, creating a nutty, roasted sauce packed with umami that can easily transform any dish.

2 Elevate Meat Sticks with Peanuts

Skewered meats are seen as approachable, casual and trendy1. Meat sticks are a familiar vehicle perfect for exploring new techniques, textures and pairings.

Chef Godwin Ihentuge of Yum Village is known for pairing maafe peanut stew, a staple in West African cuisine, with suya beef skewers.

When marketing to Gen Z, globalization is key.

Peanuts play a vital role in many cultures. At the Next Gen Food Summit, Chef Pyet demonstrated her salsa de cacahuate, made of toasted peanuts, roasted ancho chiles, garlic and onions blended in a molcajete to draw out the natural flavors.

4 Peanuts Take on Recessioncore

The economic downshift is on the minds of many, especially Gen Z. From budget-friendly food hacks to splurging occasionally, there’s a place to insert peanuts across the board.

Source 1 “2023 Top 10 Trends.” Flavor & The Menu. https://www.getflavor.com/2023top-10-trends/

Attendees at the 2023 Next Gen Food Summit with their market basket challenge dishes. Photo courtesy of Kristen Loken.

21

Grower Voices:

By Lindsay Stevens

the newhouses

Michael Newhouse has been farming alongside his father and grandfather in Donley County, Texas, for most of his life.

They grow peanuts, cotton, hay and wheat and raise cattle.

But if not, you need to get out there and let your voice be heard because nobody else can tell your story like you can.”

In addition to encouraging younger growers to get involved, According to Newhouse, farming has always been in it’s also important to help them when getting started. his family. While they currently farm in Donley County, Newhouse said the previous generations of his family have “One of the scariest things too about the farm is the age of farmed in Roby, Snyder and Abilene, Texas. The Newhouse our farmers,” Newhouse said. “If we can’t figure out how to family has been stewards of the land for generations and he make it easier for the guys to come in. And I’ve heard guys thinks his children will carry on the legacy. say it all the time, but if you’re not born into it or marry into it, it’s nearly impossible to get started.”

“I don’t know if it’s in my blood, but it’s sure in my boys’ because that’s all they want to do,” Newhouse said. “If we’re Farming is a career that is a mix of art and science where not on the farm driving tractors, they’re playing in the living farmers must combine generational wisdom with emerging room or playing farm simulator, or something farm-related research and cutting-edge technology. For Newhouse, it’s all the time. We try to brainwash them at an early age.” deeper than that. It’s a career that’s been in his family for longer than he can track. A career in which he can be closer Newhouse serves on the Texas Peanut Producers Board to his family and his Creator. and the Panhandle Peanut Grower’s Association. If there’s a piece of advice he could give younger growers, it would be “The good Lord is prevalent in our life, that’s for sure,” to get involved and let your voice be heard.

Newhouse said. “Because we get to see his handiwork every day, with the sunrise in the morning with the rains that “I really encourage them to get involved,” Newhouse said. “If we get with bringing in the harvest. It’s just an incredible you’re comfortable with somebody else making decisions way of life.” on your farm that are going to affect you, then stay at home.

The Newhouse family are featured in the Texas Peanut Producer Board's kids activity book, "The Story of Peanuts." Scan the QR code to access it.

22

PQ

NPB Changes the Conversation of Peanuts in Schools With Summer School Summit

By Lauren Highfill Williams

Back row (L-R): Larry Wade (Chesapeake, VA), Dan Hartle (broker), Jessica Shelly (Cincinnati, OH), Marlon Gordon (media), Danielle Bock (Greeley, CO), Jocelyn Karbo (Region 11, Texas), Donna Martin (Burke County, GA), Lindsey Palmer (Chartwells), Shannon Gleave (VP SNA), Annie Coker (Oklahoma City, OK), Kelsey Casselbury (media), Jessie Bland (GPC), Christina Billos (Golin), Sue Schnichels (Smuckers) and Ryan Wills (The Woodlands, Texas). Front row (L-R): Katie Wilson (Urban School Food Alliance), Alex Hallmark (Desoto County, MS), Rebecca Polson (chef), Sherry Coleman Collins (NPB), Brenda Thompon-Wattles (chef), Lauren Highfill Williams (NPB), Laura Bruno (manufacturer).

School nutrition leaders face many challenges these days. New proposed regulations restrict sugar for the first time and place further limits on sodium in school meals. Districts continue to deal with supply chain challenges, staffing and retention issues and student meal debt. Understandably, district leaders are looking for easy solutions to matters like food allergies. While banning peanut foods initially seems like the best solution to some, more districts are realizing the benefits of including peanuts on the menu and choosing management instead of bans.

23

In June, the National Peanut Board (NPB) brought 25 Two of the attendees were Jocelyn Karbo, RD, who is a influential school nutrition leaders together to host the first National School Lunch Program Content Specialist, and Summer School Nutrition Summit at the Culinary Institute of Amy Carroll, RD, who is a coordinator for the School District America (CIA) campus in San Antonio, Texas. The dynamic of Lee County. event explored the theme of the future of school nutrition through exciting trends, like plant-based eating and global “The event has been the only opportunity for true connections, flavors, chef demos of peanut-packed school recipes, fruitful discussions and innovative sharing with like-minded actionable advice, and education sessions. Texas peanut people from across the country,” Karbo said. “It has sparked farmer Lexi Floyd kicked off the summit by sharing her so many questions and inspirations for me in my current role family farming story, discussing how peanuts are grown and … and has encouraged me to ask hard questions.” the challenges and opportunities for the future of farming.

“They had some amazing recipes using peanut butter …”

During the summit, attendees also learned strategies and Carroll said. “Now that we’ve had peanut butter back for success stories for managing peanut allergies in schools, a year and a half, and everyone sees that it’s manageable, including the resources at PeanutsinSchools.org and the maybe now I can like start to expand and use peanut butter free Peanut Power Toolkit. The event culminated with the and some other recipes.” opportunity to cook in the CIA kitchens with a market basket challenge where attendees put their learnings into action The gathering was an amazing way to connect with leaders with recipes like the rockin’ rice bowl with peanut butter in school nutrition about some of the most important topics sauce & chickpeas and crunchy peanut butter apple nachos. and challenges they face and to get ideas and solutions from other movers and shakers.

Attendees represented large and award-winning districts, which collectively serve hundreds of thousands of students “Peanuts are such an incredible asset for school nutrition across the country, including Colorado, Florida, Georgia, programs because they’re affordable, accessible, versatile Idaho, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. Also in attendance and they taste great,” said NPB’s Sherry Coleman Collins, were brands, brokers and commercial operators, including MS, RDN, LD. “This summit inspired and directly empowered Smucker’s and Chartwells K12. school nutrition leaders with the resources they need to serve peanut products while keeping students with peanut allergies safe.”

(L-R): Marlon Gordon, CEO of Nxt Gen Network; Kelsey Casselbury, content director for School Nutrition Association; Jessica Shelly, director, student dining services for Cincinnati Public Schools; and Chef Brenda Thompson-Wattles, owner of BLT Food & Nutrition spoke to summit attendees about bringing popular food trends to school menus.

Scan the QR code to listen to the peanuts in schools episode of The Peanut Podcast. For more information about managing food allergies in K12, visit PeanutsinSchools.org.

Marlon Gordon of Nxt Gen Network at the summit during the market basket challenge.

24

PQ

APC’s Peter Vlazakis on the field at American Peanut Day in Japan.

APC Promotes Peanuts and Plays Ball in Japan

By Tracy Grondine, American Peanut Council

The American Peanut Council (APC) promoted U.S. “Japanese consumers enjoy U.S. peanuts but typically peanuts as part of the organization’s agricultural trade not at baseball games, which is very American,” Vlazakis promotion work in Japan. A highlight of the visit was said. “That’s why we are trying to introduce a new way American Peanut Day at a Softbank Hawks vs Nippon for them to identify with U.S. peanuts, hoping to further Ham Fighters game on July 6. drive demand.”

At the game, APC’s Senior Director of International Programs Peter Vlazakis made an on-field presentation and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Attendees took part in peanut-themed activities and 8,500 American peanut samples were distributed. The game had an attendance of 33,553 fans.

“Peanuts and baseball go hand in hand and the American Peanut Day event was a perfect way to build awareness for great tasting, nutritious U.S. peanuts among Japanese consumers,” Vlazakis said.

For the second year in a row, APC has collaborated with the Softbank Hawks, the Pacific League’s most popular team, to host American Peanut Day. APC’s goal is to directly reach Japanese consumers to build awareness of and demand for American peanuts.

Japan is a consistently growing market for U.S. peanuts and peanut products. In 2022, the peanut industry exported a record-high 20,171 metric tons of peanuts and peanut products to Japan, with a value of $35.6 million.

On behalf of the U.S. peanut industry, and in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, APC undertakes market development activities in Japan and other international markets to increase global consumption of U.S. peanuts.

While in Japan, Vlazakis also met with representatives from the Agriculture Department’s Office of Agricultural Affairs in Tokyo, the Japan Peanut Import Association and the Japan Peanut Association. A tour of Port of Kobe to see peanut unloading and handling and visits with peanut manufacturers were also on the schedule.

Tracy Grondine Named as Vice President of Communications Earlier this year, APC hired Tracy Grondine to lead their communications, marketing and member engagement activities, which includes oversight of communications across all APC’s programs, meetings and services; member and stakeholder engagement to raise industry awareness of APC; crisis communications oversight; and supporting the Peanut Research Foundation and the American Peanut Research and Education Society.

Tracy has held positions at the American Farm Bureau Federation, U.S. Apple Association, National Corn Growers Association and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. She holds a Master of Science degree in political management from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Charleston, West Virginia.

25

Financials

NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD BUDGET Fiscal Year 24 (November 1, 2023—October 31, 2024)

FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET

ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION REVENUES Crop Projection

$10,800,000

Prior Years’ Expense Savings

$1,900,000

Interest Income - Projected

$ 200,000

TOTAL REVENUE

$12,900,000

PROMOTION / MARKET DEVELOPMENT / RESEARCH Domestic—Promotion / Market Development Programs

$8,218,596

Export—Promotion / Market Development

$468,000

Grower & Intra-industry Communications

$694,000

State Production Research Projects

$1,843,404

Other Production Research

$507,000

Other Expenses

$42,000

TOTAL PROMOTION / MARKET DEVELOPMENT / RESEARCH

$11,773,000

OTHER EXPENSES Administrative

$927,000

AMS Oversight

$200,000 TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES

TOTAL EXPENSES

$1,127,000 $12,900,000

* Contingency Reserve = $1,400,000 Unrestricted Reserve = $3,789,871

26

PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE

National Peanut Board

3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 1150 Atlanta, GA 30339

We’ve Harvested a New Website!

PAID

ATLANTA GA PERMIT 3832

NPB has launched a new website and now it’s even easier to find information on peanuts, allergies, sustainability, grower news and more all in one place. Go to www.nationalpeanutboard.org.

@Nationalpeanutboard

@PeanutFarmers