Peanut Leadership Academy Class XII hosts Second Session by Jessie Bland
Peanut Leadership Academy Class XII held their second session in Albany, Ga. While in the area participants learned more about the peanut industry through tours of Kelley Manufacturing Co., MANA Nutrition and the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.
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articipants of Class XII of the Peanut Leadership Academy met Feb. 28 – March 2, in Albany, Georgia, for the second session of the 18-month program. During this session, peanut growers and sheller representatives had the opportunity to learn about themselves and the industry, as well as tour peanut industry facilities in the area. Participants also attended the American Peanut Shellers Association’s Industry Spring Conference. On day one of the session, participants heard from Trudy Gill, CEO of Trudy Gill Leadership and Development. Gill introduced the class to social styles via shapes, an assessment that allows them to learn more about themselves, as well as others and how to best work as a team. PLA participants were also given a thorough overview of food safety from Darlene Cowart with Birdsong Peanuts, followed by an issues discussion period where participants had a chance to review various issues the peanut industry faces and give thoughts/feedback on what to do different and/or how to improve the issue. Day two of the session was made
up of area tours. The group began by traveling to Tifton and touring Kelley Manufacturing Co.’s facility, where they received the most up-to-date information from KMC and learned about the equipment fabrication process. Upon leaving KMC, the group traveled over to the University of Georgia’s Tifton Campus and heard from Scott Monfort and Tim Brenneman about the latest updates in peanut research and Extension. The group then visited the Georgia Peanut Commission office, where they had lunch, followed by a trip up to Fitzgerald for a tour at MANA Nutrition’s facility. Here, they learned about MANA’s mission and how their product is saving lives worldwide. To wrap the session up, participants attended the APSA’s Industry Spring Conference, where they heard from industry representatives covering a variety of topics from crop updates to nutrition research. They were also introduced to the meeting attendees and had an opportunity to visit with those in attendance. Members of Class XII of the Peanut Leadership Academy include: Alabama: Joe Corcoran, Eufaula; Brian
20 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | April 2022
Harrison, Uriah; Greg Resmondo, Foley; Jason Vinson, Hartford; Jason Weber, Atmore; Florida: Lance Jackson, Graceville; Scott Walker, McDavid; Georgia: Matthew Blitch, Statesboro; Chad Mathis, Arlington; Lehman Nevil, Metter; Jacob Sandeford, Midville; Karla Thompson, Thomasville; Russ Worsley, Colquitt; National Peanut Board: David Leary Jr, Unadilla, Ga.; Brad Ward, Manteo, N.C.; North Carolina: John Layton, Edenton; South Carolina: Charles Rogers, Hartsville; Texas: Garrett Besler, Wellman; Jeff Lollar, Tokio; Virginia: Drew Monahan, Waverly; Sheller Representatives: Brandon Arnold, Golden Peanut & Tree Nuts; Pete Froesse, Trico Peanut; David Martens, Birdsong Peanuts; Allison Randell, Premium Peanut; Caleb Weaver, Olam. The Peanut Leadership Academy is coordinated by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and the American Peanut Shellers Association. For more information on the Peanut Leadership Academy, visit www. southernpeanutfarmers.org..
