Checkoff Report
Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry Mississippi Peanut Growers Association approves research
Grower dollars allocated from the National Peanut Board Research Committee funded three research proposals for Mississippi State University researchers. The projects funded include "Optimizing Fungicide Applications for Soil-Borne Disease as Influenced by Crop Rotation" by Brendan Zurweller and Alan Henn, "Evaluating Return on Investments of Poultry Litter Amendments within a Peanut-Cotton Rotation" by Brendan Zurweller and "Standardization of Mississippi Peanut Variety Trials" by Brad Burgess. The total grower dollars allocated to the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association by the National Peanut Board for use in peanut research since 2009 is $467,524. A new research project awarded for 2021-22 by The Peanut Institute includes one from Mississippi. There were 48 proposals received from 11 countries in the areas of brain/mental health, cardiometabolic health, dietary patterns, health disparities, nutrient composition, product innovation, pregnancy/infant/ child nutrition and wellness. Four top projects were selected by TPI Research Committee and one of those was from Mississippi State University on Peanuts and Mental Health/Depression. This is a randomized control trial studying the implications of daily peanut consumption on depression, cognitive function and biomarkers for metabolic health in college students. Three others chosen came from Loma Linda, University of Barcelona, Spain and Virginia Tech.
FPPA exhibits at Florida State Fair in Tampa
The 2022 Florida State Fair kicked off this year with much excitement. This marks the 118th year the Florida State Fair has celebrated agriculture through the 12-day event that takes place every year in Tampa, Florida. The Fresh From Florida breakfast kicked off opening day of the state fair as the Florida Peanut Producers Association served grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to attendees.
The Alabama Farmers Federation hosted the Taste of Alabama legislative reception in Montgomery, Alabama, February 10, 2022. Staff from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the attendees. County Farmers Federation presidents and FarmPAC advisory trustees from across the state visited with more than 100 elected officials, including 80 legislators; Supreme Court justices and appellate judges; members of the Public Service Commission and Alabama State Board of Education; and FarmPAC-endorsed candidates for statewide office. Attendees included Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, State Treasurer Young Boozer and Secretary of State John Merrill.
Alabama Peanut Grower Production Meetings Held
Ken Barton, Florida Peanut
One day was designated as Peanut Day at the Producers Association executive director, visits Fair and FPPA provided roasted peanuts, recipe with attendees during the cards, health and nutritional information and general Florida State Fair in Tampa. information about peanut production in Florida. One of the more popular items at the FPPA exhibit was "Grow Your Own Peanut" seed kits. Thousands of attendees were excited to get the seed kit and have the opportunity to grow their own peanut plant. More than 600,000 people attended the Florida State Fair with more than 1,500 4-H and FFA students competing and displaying more than 5,000 animals. "The Florida State Fair provides a great opportunity for us to showcase new recipes using peanuts and peanut butter," says Ken Barton, FPPA executive director. "We also share the message of the health and nutritional benefits of consuming peanut products and provide information about peanut production in Florida."
Alabama peanuts promoted at Mercedes Benz Marathon Race More than 7,000 people visited the Mercedes Benz Race Expo, Feb. 11-12, 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association provided samples of roasted peanuts and peanut butter to the participants. Runners also picked up peanut allergy information, recipes and other peanut swag.
8 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | April 2022
Taste of Alabama Legislative Reception
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association hosted eight peanut grower production meetings across the state Feb. 21-25, 2022. More than 200 growers came out to hear Alabama peanut researchers from Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension share their latest research and best practices for the 2022 growing season. APPA also produced a 2022 Peanut Production Guide containing production meetings from the researchers. The guide was mailed out to all Alabama peanut growers. In addition, recordings of the researchers’ presentations are available on the APPA website. Sponsors for the production guide and production meetings were: ADAMA, Alabama Ag Credit, Alabama Farm Credit, BASF, First South Farm Credit, Sanbuck Insurance, Syngenta, United Bank, Valent, Vantage South, Visjon Biologics.
