Grower Voices: Brad West

Brad West of Fremont, North Carolina is a farmer who often thinks about the future. With the V-C region switching to 100% high-oleic peanuts, West is excited about the future demand for peanuts and the potential to keep the next generation in farming. He farms with his mother, Audrey, and brother, Craig; and in addition to peanuts, the Wests grow tobacco, cotton, sweet potatoes, corn and soybeans. They also have turkey houses and a hog farm.

Farming has always been a part of West’s life. He graduated from North Carolina State Ag Institute in 1998, then returned home to make farming his full-time career and has farmed ever since. West currently serves as treasurer of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association. He also serves on the State Farm Bureau Peanut Policy Review Committee and the North Carolina State Ag Institute’s Advisory Committee.

“It’s a career like nothing else,” West said. “It has a lot of struggles. It seems like we are constantly fighting for something, but it is a good life. What interests me the most is watching things grow and reaping the benefits of hard work with a little help from the good Lord.”

Recently, the V-C region switched to 100% high-oleic peanuts. These are higher in oleic acid, which means they are high in monosaturated fats or “good fats.” It is believed that monosaturated fats help lower bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol and promote good cardiovascular health. High-oleic peanuts also have extended freshness and shelf life.

“I feel like the transition has allowed me to plant more peanuts,” West said. “We are living in a healthy world now and everyone is looking for healthier foods, so I feel like the demand is higher.”

West feels that going forward, there will be a higher demand for foods that are good for heart health. Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, including peanuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. This positions all peanuts, including high-oleics, to help fill that demand in the future.

In addition to looking forward to this new demand for peanuts, West is excited to see how his operation will change over the years — in more than one way.

“I look forward to seeing where our farm will be in the future,” West said. “I have two nephews who are going to farm. One is working with us now, and one is in college with intentions of coming back. I have two kids; however, they are not interested in coming back. They have an idea of what they want to do, and I think that is great. This life is not for everyone. I am interested to see where we are in 20 years. With the technology coming and the population growing, we have our work cut out for us, but I look forward to seeing it happen.”