Editor’s thoughts Events

Celebrating Peanuts, Agriculture and the Farmer

It is now one of my favorite months of the year - the time we celebrate peanuts during March for National Peanut Month. This month also coincides with National Nutrition Month which is fitting due to all the excellent nutritional qualities peanuts and peanut butter have to offer consumers.

Another highlight of the month is National Ag Day on March 21. This one day should be celebrated every day by consumers since without farmers, consumers wouldn't have food or clothing. Each year prior to National Ag Day, the organizers hold an essay contest. Here are a couple of quotes from the winning entries that really resonated with me, so I wanted to share them with you.

"Advancements in farming will enable farmers to provide more food and fiber to a growing population while practicing sustainability for the future of farming."

"We desire to care for our land and livestock and leave it for future generations better than we inherited it."

Generations of farmers have had to adapt, conserve, plan and more, to be efficient and sustainable on their farm. In the early 1970s farmers made up 4.3 percent of America's labor force compared to 1.3 percent today.

I'm proud to say I'm a farmer's daughter and now work for peanut farmers! You deserve more than one day of celebration so feel free to celebrate all month long.

Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor

National Ag Day

March 21, 2023. For more info visit www.agday.org.

Peanut Proud Festival

March 25, 2023, Blakely, Ga. For more info visit www.peanutproudfestival.com.

Peanut Efficiency Award Deadline

April 15, 2023. For more information call 1-800-253-3160 or visit southeastfarmpress.com.

USA Peanut Congress

June 12-15, 2023, Amelia Island, Fla. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.

American Peanut Research & Education Society Annual Meeting

July 11-13, 2023, The DeSoto, Savannah, Ga. For more information visit the APRES website at apresinc.com.

Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day

July 20, 2023, Moultrie, Ga. For more information call 229-985-1968 or visit the Expo's website at sunbeltexpo.com.

Southern Peanut Growers Conference

July 27-29, 2023, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Fla. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit southernpeanutfarmers.org.

American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association Pre-Harvest Meeting

Aug. 8-9, 2023, Albany, Ga. For more information call 229-888-2508 or visit peanut-shellers.org.

Brooklet Peanut Festival

Sept. 16, 2023, Brooklet, Ga. For more information visit the festival's website at brookletpeanutfestival.com.

Plains Peanut Festival details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

Sept. 23, 2023, Plains, Ga. For more information call visit the festival's website at jimmycarterfriends.org.