A Look Inside
Data from representative farms project loss for Southeast farmers.
USDA report shows net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $12 billion in
The Peanut Leadership Academy Class XIII tours west Texas peanut production during their summer session.
19 | GEORGIA PEANUT ACHIEVEMENT CLUB
Sixteen Georgia farmers were recently recognized for their 2023 high yields.
DEPARTMENTS
RESILIENCE AMID RUIN
Farmers across the region grapple with a disaster following Hurricane Helene that has reshaped the landscape and agricultural industry of the whole Southeast region. As farmers deal with the aftermath of the hurricane, they continue to demonstrate their resilience amid the ruin.
Clay McKinnon, farmer in Coffee County, Ga., surveys the damage following Hurricane Helene. Photo by Joy Crosby.
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Editor’s thoughts Events
Prayer Meeting Among Farmers
Farmers gathered in a powerless machine shed in Coffee County to find solace through a prayer meeting following Hurricane Helene. Many in attendance had faces of anguish and relief at the same time. They shook hands, hugged and even smiled a little as they greeted friends, fellow farmers, politicians and industry representatives.
Farmers, Wayne and Clay McKinnon own the machine shop, and they hosted the prayer meeting along with their local Extension agent, Ashley Smith. The event included prayers and provided farmers with the supplies they needed, as well as information from USDA and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Watery eyes even came from the toughest farmers as Amelia McKinnon, 8, sang the song, "I am not my own." If you have not heard of the song, then I encourage you to search for the lyrics online and read them. The crowd of 75 or so listened attentively as she sang and found comfort in the lyrics.
Following the devastation, a photo of Clay and Ali McKinnon's three children, Amelia, Jones and Mason, in front of the destroyed chicken houses became the new profile photo of Ali's Facebook page. The caption reads, "Joshua 1:9, McKinnon strong." Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Farmers have had their share of high input costs, low commodity prices and weather fluctuations to leave them dismayed. Hurricane Helene added to their woe at the most inopportune time, right in the middle of harvest for some farmers. Hurricane Helene was the third hurricane for some farmers to damage crops, farm buildings and houses within one year. The losses can be felt within areas of Florida and Georgia, and to North Carolina and Virginia.
The strong winds from the storm left generational changes to the landscape of the areas in its path. Through the storm, farmers continue to amaze me with their resilience amid the ruins and the tough times.
Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor
Georgia Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Dec. 8-10, 2024, Jekyll Island, Ga. For more information visit gfb.org.
Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Meeting
Dec. 8-10, 2024, Montgomery, Ala. For more information visit alfafarmers.org.
American Peanut Council Insights Summit
Dec. 10-11, 2024, Atlanta, Ga. For more information visit peanutsusa.com.
Georgia Peanut Farm Show
Jan. 16, 2025, UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Ga. For more information call 229-386-3470 or visit gapeanuts.com.
Georgia Young Farmers Association Annual Convention
Jan. 17-18, 2025, Jekyll Island, Ga. For more information visit gyfa.org.
American Farm Bureau Convention
Jan. 24-29, 2025, San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit fb.org.
Alabama Florida Peanut Trade Show
Jan. 30, 2025, National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan, Ala. For more information call 334-792-6482 or visit alpeanuts.com or flpeanuts.com.
National Peanut Buying Points Association Winter Conference
Feb. 14-17, 2025, Tampa, Fla. For more information visit peanutbuyingpoints.org.
Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting
Feb. 19, 2025, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, Miss. For more information visit misspeanuts.com.
Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Meeting
Feb. 27, 2025, Jackson County Agricultural Complex and Conference Center, Marianna, Fla. For more info visit flpeanuts.com. Let us know about your event. Please send details to
Amelia, Mason and Jones McKinnon stand in front of the destruction from Hurricane Helene at McKinnon Farms in Coffee County.
2024 Projected Net Profit/Loss for Southeast Farmers
by Stanley M. Fletcher Professor of Policy CRPI, ABAC; and Professor Emeritus, University of Georgia
The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has maintained the U.S. Peanut Representative Farms that were established in 2001.There are 22 peanut representative farms that cover the entire peanut belt from Virginia to New Mexico. In 2021, these representative farms were updated to incorporate the 2021 cost of production including the cost of doing farming business. These representative farms are updated every three to four years.
The 14 Southeast Peanut Representative Farms were used to compute an average representative farm for Southeast farmers. The average representative farm size was
2,278 acres, with 1,946 acres used for row crops (cotton-996 acres, corn-205 acres and peanuts-682 acres), which one would consider a typical family farm size and crop distribution. The farmer of this operation would own 41 percent of the land with 57 percent irrigated.
In 2021, an update was made on the cost and expected yields. This cost data was then adjusted to 2024 costs based on the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI) inflation indices. Since FAPRI inflation indices are of a national perspective, a set of farmers from the panels were pulled together to re-examine the 2024 cost factors and expected yields. The costs and yields were adjusted as needed.
The yields were 1,098.68 lbs./ acre for cotton, 4,835 lbs./acre for peanuts and 225.68 bu./acre for corn. The USDA 2024 expected seasonal average price for peanuts was $510/ ton, $4.20/bu. for corn and $0.66 lb. for cotton. Cottonseed revenue was included in the cotton calculation. The 2018 Farm Bill safety net payments are included in the calculations.
Based on the projected 2024 costs, expected yields and prices, this Southeast Representative Farm is expected to lose $1,337,883.23 in 2024, after receiving 2018 Farm Bill safety net payments. This translates into a loss of $332.20/acre for peanuts, a loss of $937.73/acre for corn and a loss of $922.92/acre for cotton.
This loss is in addition to the actual loss that this Southeast farm had in 2021 to the level of -$307,829.75, even with the 2018 Farm Bill safety net payments. The breakdown of the 2021 loss was -$54.86/acre for peanuts, -$158.17/acre for corn and -$238.99/acre for cotton. The financial condition of Southeast farmers has significantly deteriorated over time and is not sustainable.
Resilience Amid ruin
South Georgia farmers battle Hurricane Helene's Aftermath
By Katie Knapp
As combines should have been humming across South Georgia's fields in early October, an eerie roar of chainsaws blanketed the region. Hurricane Helene's brutal passage the night of Sept. 26 and morning of Sept. 27 transformed the 2024 harvest into a desperate clean-up situation, with farmers facing losses in the millions.
Winds that reached up to 118mph left a trail of destruction. From the bottom to the top of the eastern half of Georgia, the storm's impact is evident in the flattened crops, overturned irrigation systems, decimated timber stands, and shredded houses and buildings.
For seventh-generation farmer Bo Corbett, from Lake Park, Georgia, the morning after the storm brought a harsh reality. "We have 17 pivots that look just like that out of 35," he says, pointing to a five-tower pivot twisted like a pretzel in his peanut field.
His insurance adjuster quoted the cost of replacing a single pivot could equal the gross sales from that field, a stark illustration of the financial blow dealt by Helene. "I'm just glad we have insurance," Corbett says, rebounding with some relief. "Because that's three major storms we've been through in 13 months, including Idalia and Debbie."
Thankfully, his peanut crop seems to have been spared with "decent quality and yields." But, with the lack of rain since Helene rumbled through and hardly any parts available for the broken pivots, worry still sits on his shoulders.
"Our sand ground is three days away from a drought no matter what. We would typically run six to 10 pivots through the winter for our cattle to graze. If Hurricane Helene had come any sooner [before the peanuts were mature], we'd be in a mess," Corbett emphasizes. His family also raises
corn, cotton and tobacco.
His story is just one among thousands, as farmers across the region grapple with a disaster that has reshaped the landscape and agriculture industry of the whole Southeast region.
A week after the skies cleared, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper told farmers gathered in a powerless machine shed in Coffee County, "The devastation is catastrophic and heartbreaking. Whether you're in Emmanuel County or you're in Bacon County, or you're in Coffee County, there's significant impacts to agriculture across every single commodity…You have a lot of folks fighting for you."
American Farm Bureau Federation estimates just under half of Georgia's farms were affected by Hurricane Helene, based on 2022 Ag Census and storm path data. Initial figures released on Oct. 10 by state, university
Clay McKinnon and Dehan Bosoff clean up a peanut field full of metal from their nearby chicken houses destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Photo by Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer.
and association staff suggest Georgia's agriculture economy will take at least a $6.46 billion hit.
Clay McKinnon, Coffee County farmer whose family hosted the Oct. 3rd gathering, says their farm alone has more than $3 million worth of damages between demolished chicken houses, bins and shelters, crumpled irrigation pivots, blown over blueberry bushes, and compromised cotton and peanut fields.
"Starting this crop out in the spring, we planted it with high hopes and took really good care of it. To see all that stripped away from you in a matter of three hours is really disheartening," McKinnon says somberly. He expects his peanut yields to be down about 25 percent.
"But in saying all that, I don't think you'll find anybody more resilient than an American farmer," he adds with a mixture of determination and angst in his voice. "We'll continue to push forward, but I think we definitely need help from the powers that be. We're not asking for a handout, but we're just asking for help to push us forward to the next year."
The timing of Hurricane Helene has compounded an already challenging economic situation for farmers. Low commodity prices and high input costs for the past few years have made it hard for farmers, not just in Georgia but across the nation, to keep their businesses strong.
Commissioner Harper impressed upon the group at McKinnon's farm that he was going to do his best to get the relief they needed. "Everything that we talked about when we were in D.C. a couple of weeks ago [before the storm] has to multiply. We understand people are hurting, and we're going to be here for you."
The ripple effects extend far beyond the farms themselves. Buying points like Deep South Peanut in Douglas scrambled to adapt.
While staring at the wreckage of his peanut buying point, Billy Waldron told his son, who also works in the family business, "You can't go undefeated all your life... We're not going to quit. You can't go out of
business. We're just going to buckle down and make the most of a horrid situation."
They lost three elevators, one to the cleaner and two to loadout tanks. Despite the setbacks, he has a palpable sense of determination and optimism. Thanks to five generators, thousands of gallons of fuel, and what he calls "innovative ways," his plant was running at 40 percent capacity within a week.
As of Oct. 17, their power had been restored and they had handled about 20 percent of their expected annual volume (compared to the typical 40-50 percent by this time of year). Waldron says quality has remained steady and his farmer customers have taken the limitations in stride.
"South Georgians are resilient people," Waldron says, his voice
steady despite the dismay around him. "I appreciate our customers' ability to adapt and the grace they've shown us through this process. The best anecdote for chaos is mercy, and they've been merciful and understanding."
Looking forward, the challenges are immense. The financial strain of replacing equipment, repairing infrastructure, and potentially taking on additional debt looms large.
McKinnon says he's not letting himself worry about the future yet. "It's one day at a time right now. You just tackle the challenge that comes to you that day. Most of the time we're planning months or even a year ahead. At this point—I feel like I could speak for everybody—you are just taking the blows as they come, and that's all you can do."
Billy Waldron and his son, Will, brainstorm how to receive peanuts at their family’s buying point, Deep South Peanuts near Douglas, Ga., without power or the use of three elevators taken out by Hurricane Helene.
Hurricane Helene hit Bo Corbett family’s farm near Lake Park, Ga., with 118 mph winds. It turned over and damaged half of their irrigation pivots.
More than 75 farmers and agribusiness people gathered for a prayer breakfast at McKinnon Farms near Douglas, Ga., a week after the storm. Among the speakers was Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, who assured farmers he is working hard to get timely governmental aid to help rebuild their businesses.
Photo by Katie Knapp, The Ag Photographer.
Photo by Katie Knapp.
Photo by
Katie Knapp.
Checkoff Report
Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry
Georgia Peanuts Promoted at Alfac Kickoff Game
The Georgia Peanut Commission promoted peanuts during the Aflac College Kickoff Game in August which included in-game exposure and an exhibit in the Tailgate Town prior to the game.
The Georgia Peanut Commission sponsored and exhibited at the Aflac Kickoff Game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. On Saturday, Aug. 31, Clemson vied against Georgia. There were approximately 78,000 fans at the game. The television viewership reached an estimated 7.9 million fans on ABC. Throughout the game, Georgia Peanuts were highlighted on the videoboard through the RB comparison fan feature, the LED ribbon board and Halo board.
GPC provided samples of peanuts at an exhibit in the Tailgate Town prior to the game. To further the promotion, GPC was the name partner for the VIP entry lanes which allowed fans to enter the stadium quickly. The Georgia Peanut logo appeared on the Aflac Kickoff Game website and reached more than 164,581 impressions. This promotion also led to Levy Restaurants ordering the Georgia peanut 5.5 ounce stand up packs to sell in the concession stands at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Georgia Peanuts Tour showcases peanut belt
to see peanut harvest at Davis Farms in Dawson, Ga.
The Georgia Peanut Commission, University of Georgia and the National Peanut Research Lab hosted the thirty-sixth annual Georgia Peanut Tour, Sept. 17-19, 2024, in Americus, Georgia. Tour attendees began day one with a Hot Topics session highlighting an update on the 2024 crop and a special focus on the challenges and potential solutions for sustainability in the global peanut industry. On the next two days of the tour, stops were made at Davis Farms in Dawson and WH Cross Farms in Unadilla, along with a variety of businesses within the peanut industry. Research was highlighted on the tour at the University of Georgia Southwest Georgia Research and Education Center in Plains and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Peanut Research Lab in Dawson.
The 2024 tour included 225 industry representatives from 19 states and 15 countries. To learn more about the 2024 tour stops, visit the tour blog online at georgiapeanuttour.com.
Mississippi Peanut Field Day
The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association attended a field day at Seward Farms, Lucedale, Mississippi in September. During the event Malcolm Broome, executive director of the MPGA, provided an update on the association activities, the farm bill and yield outlook. West Bay Peanuts sponsored the lunch.
Peanut acres in Mississippi have increased from 17,000 acres in 2023 to an estimated 25,675 acres in 2024. Mississippi State University agronomist Brendan Zurweller shared information about peanut varieties in field plots ranging from early maturing, disease resistance and new releases for seed increase. Zurweller also discussed the current condition of the Mississippi crop and answered questions from the growers in attendance.
Farmers also received information from Brian Pieralisi, MSU cotton agronomist and Whitney Crow, MSU entomologist.
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NASCAR Cup Series Driver Todd Gilliland promotes Georgia Peanuts at Talladega
The Georgia Peanut Commission returned to support NASCAR Cup Series driver, Todd Gilliland, and the No. 38 car with the Front Row Motorsports team in October at Talladega Superspeedway for the YellaWood 500. The Commission continued their sponsorship after running their colors with Gilliland earlier this year in Atlanta. When the checkered flag ended the race, Gilliland finished in 23rd place. The total number of impressions for the Georgia Peanuts car was 67,025,645 with a total of 11 minutes and 7 seconds of television time.
"From getting spun on pit road to speeding, and then getting caught up in the big one, it was a messy day for us all around. It's a little disappointing because we had great speed. Ryan (Bergenty) and the team brought me a fast Georgia Peanuts Ford Mustang Dark Horse, but we just weren't able to make it to the end. That's Talladega, though," Gilliland says.
Mississippi farmers
research plots at a field day at Seward Farms in Lucedale, Miss.
During the 2024 Georgia Peanut Tour, attendees were able
Florida Peanuts Producers Association attends Future of Pediatric Practice
The Florida Peanut Producers Association exhibited at the Future of Pediatric Practice annual conference of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The event attracts pediatric healthcare professionals from around the state of Florida and across the country.
"This pediatrics conference is the best opportunity to share the message of early introduction of peanuts to help prevent peanut allergies," says Ken Barton, FPPA executive director. "We visited with several pediatric health care professionals and pediatric students, and everyone we visited with is adopting the early Introduction science and advising their patients to introduce peanuts to their infants at 4 to 6 months of age."
2024 FPP was a resounding success and featured presentations on behavioral health, transition of care, medication management, infectious diseases, asthma, climate change, and cancer, as well as workshops on practice management, microaggressions, breastfeeding, and allergies. The event also included a competitive resident forum and a medical student research forum.
Florida Peanut Producers Association visits with Florida Fish and Wildlife to discuss deer damage
State Representative Shane Abbott and Florida Fish and Wildlife joined Jackson County Farm Bureau and Florida Peanut Producers Association to meet farmers in Jackson, Washington and Holmes counties. Touring the fields provided a visual of deer damage to the crops across the counties in the Panhandle.
Local producers say that assistance is needed in the hot spots where the deer pressure is at an all-time high. Producers hope to build relationships with the FWC officers and officials to allow a team approach that benefits all.
A substantial amount of money and products are lost yearly due to the damage deer are causing, from replanting fields to a total loss in yields. Farmers have even mentioned leaving fields that they have farmed for years because of the unbearable deer damage. Farm Bureau leaders and producers would like to see a change in the permit timeline, allowing it to be season-long. They also want a more user-friendly registration process allowing producers to renew the application each season, allowing each farm to be associated with one permit. Representative Abbott hopes to work closely with FWC to find a possible solution.
Alabama Peanuts partner with Troy University
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association partnered with Troy Athletics to sponsor all six home football games at Troy University. APPA is marketing peanuts through PA announcements, jumbotron videos, and LED banners above the stands. APPA also provided the university's athletic strength and conditioning department with peanut butter for all athletes at Troy.
Alabama Peanut Field Days
A series of crop field days were held across Alabama this summer. Locations included Samson, Headland, Brewton and Fairhope, and covered topics such as irrigation, variety tests, fungicide strategies, and pest management. Research specialists shared their insights and allowed peanut producers to ask questions.
Alabama Peanuts partner with Grits and Gouda for magazine ad
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association featured an ad in Alabama Small Towns and Downtowns magazine in collaboration with Kathleen Phillips, of GritsandGouda.com. Phillips' article in the fall edition of the magazine features two peanut recipes for tailgating and back-to-school.
Ken Barton, FPPA executive director, visits with Pediatric students during the Future of Pediatric Practice conference held in Orlando, Fla.
Jeff Pittman, Jackson County Farm Bureau president and local peanut producer, discusses the impact of deer on the year's crop with a Florida Wildlife Commission official.
Charles Chen, Auburn University peanut breeder, discusses new varieties available during field days.
Farm crisis
Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $12 billion
by Joy Crosby
In one Georgia county, farmers gathered to compare their costs. The farmers used their 2023 input costs and their total acreage and yield of cotton, corn, peanuts and soybeans. The results showed a devastating blow – a $1.9 million loss. So, the farmers estimated their 2024 data with input costs from 2024 and yield from the same crops in 2023. The loss came out to $19.8 million.
Those numbers are staggering for one county, but similar results can most likely be found across many small rural areas in the Southeast. The United States Department of Agriculture's September 2024 farm income forecast shows a decrease in farm sector income across the U.S.
Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, is forecast at $140 billion in 2024, marking a $6.5 billion (4.4 percent) decline from 2023. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $12 billion (7.2 percent) to $154.1 billion in 2024. Inflationadjusted figures indicate even greater financial strain, with net farm income expected to fall by $10.2 billion (6.8%) from the previous year.
These numbers have many in the ag community wondering if we are witnessing the '80s again in farming.
According to Clint Hood, ag and timber group director with Synovus, farmers are not as bad off today as in the '80s because of land equity on their balance sheet, which is keeping
them solvent. "Land equity can be created in two ways: by making payments on your debt or the equity can be given to you from the market."
Today, farmers are faced with difficult decisions and some of those decisions are different from what farmers faced in the '80s. According to Jake Cleghorn, chief lending officer with Altamaha Bank & Trust, in the '80s banks didn't necessarily want to take back the farm but they were just trying to find somebody else to take over the farm at that point.
"That's not the world we live in today. A lot of farmers feel like they're selling their soul to the devil and selling out before the bank comes and takes it," Cleghorn says. "Farmers may hate solar panels or apartment complexes but that may be their only choice."
Farmers have a way out today, unlike the '80s but unfortunately, it is
"A lot of farmers feel like they're selling their soul to the devil and selling out before the bank comes and takes it. Farmers may hate solar panels or apartment complexes but that may be their only choice."
Jake Cleghorn Altamaha Bank & Trust
causing farmers to go away from their heart, go away from what they know and what these families have built for generations, Cleghorn adds.
"From a banking standpoint, when we're not showing break even in cash flows, we do have to present liquidation plans. So, it is a constant conversation with us in our credits and with our examiners," Cleghorn says. "We try to help farmers before that scenario takes place. I do think there's more options than there were in the '80s, but those options are still not good options if you're born and raised a farmer."
Cleghorn views the ag lender as a partner with the ag community. He serves as chairman of the Georgia Bankers Association Ag Committee. At the recent fall planning session, he says it was one of the most depressing rooms that he has been in recently.
"Nobody had anything positive to say," Cleghorn says. "We've realized this for a while, and we've realized we are in this rut, but we are in it together when we're looking at it from a banking standpoint."
He witnesses the same thing in the farmers he meets with too.
"I saw a farmer smile in my office for the first time in two years recently, and it was because he's getting a hurricane payment," Cleghorn says. "That's the only thing that makes them smile, anything they can come across to help with cash flow."
According to Hood, this is not the time of year when banks are getting ready to resupply operating lines. He adds that the operating line of credit is the life blood of the farm.
"Farmers are running out of money to be able to get the crop to the end of the year before they start getting repaid, but it’s not just on the liability side of the balance sheet that we’re seeing this," Hood says. “We’re seeing it on the asset side too with farmers having to tap into their savings.”
All farmers are hurting, Hood adds. "Farmers who have liquidity assets are feeling the pinch too, and some are having to cash in a CD, if they have one, to make ends meet. That's the definition of going backwards."
According to Hood, it’s become imperative nowadays to try to demonstrate on paper for your banker, because he’s your partner, that you will continue to be creditworthy so that
"Farmers who have liquidity assets are feeling the pinch too, and some are having to cash in a CD, if they have one, to make ends meet. That's the definition of going backwards."
Clint Hood Synovus
you can still be in a good position to borrow money.
"We're busy right now addressing the capital needs that are in shortfall for the farmers," Hood says. "One of the biggest challenges a farmer has right now is to try to show validity on the balance sheet and the profit and loss statement. And, when I say validity, show that they continue to be credit worthy."
Hood emphasized the five C's of credit he goes by when reviewing clients.
S"The first 'C' of credit is character and if your character is in place, then you've gone a long way toward qualifying for a loan with your banker," he says. Following character, Hood highlighted capital, capacity, condition and collateral.
"Depending on the time of the economic cycle, which we're in the low part, some of those other C's are a lot more important. The capacity to repay is important. The financial condition is important, and the economic condition, so all that is a fluctuation," Hood says. "There are a lot of challenges right now to be an ag banker, and you're trying to make the right decisions up front with your customers, and you don't want to get your customers into trouble loaning them too much money. So, it's just mainly about cash flow, and that's really the name of the game right now."
Sunbelt Ag Expo recognizes farmers
unbelt Ag Expo recognizes farmers annually through the Southeastern Farmer of the Year program. Faylene Whitaker of Climax, North Carolina, has been selected as the overall winner for 2024.
Two years after they married, Faylene Whitaker and her late husband, Richard, started their own farm in 1975 on ten acres of rented land, using a 150 International tractor and a $40 tobacco setter. When the first crop was sold, they applied the proceeds to the purchase of 36.5 more acres. Today, the farm has grown to include 950 acres of owned and rented land that produces tobacco, garden plants, field tomatoes, strawberries, organic corn and wheat, and a variety of vegetables.
The Southeastern Farmer of the Year award recognizes excellence in agricultural production and farm management along with leadership in farm and community organizations. The award also honors family contributions in producing safe and
abundant supplies of food, fiber, and shelter products.
Three state winners recognized during the awards ceremony who grow peanuts include Joel Sirmon, Alabama; Bruce Redmond, Georgia, and Ty Woodard, South Carolina.
Sirmon Farms began as a dairy and farrow-to-finish hog operation but the farm expanded to diversify into vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Today, Sirmon Farms consists of 3,689 acres of owned and rented land including sweet potatoes, peanuts, cotton, corn, and cattle.
Redmond is carrying on the legacy of his late father, Larry Redmond, who started Shiloh Farms in the early 1980s. The operation consists of 2,800 owned and rented acres in Guyton, Georgia, and produces bahia grass, TifQuik bahia grass, cotton and peanuts.
Woodard is a third-generation diversified farmer and agribusiness owner in Darlington County, South Carolina. Ty, his father, Frankie
Woodard III and Ty’s brother, Wes, partner in the family-owned operation that was incorporated in 1980 and now grows peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, timber, and beef cattle.
Additional state winners include Ted Huneycutt, Arkansas; Jason Watts, Florida; George McDonald, Tennessee, and Walter Bass Jr., Virginia.
Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year program's state winners who grow peanuts. Pictured left to right: Joel Sirmon, Alabama; Bruce Redmond, Georgia; and Ty Woodard, South Carolina.
Weathered but strong
Georgia Ag Partners Launch Hurricane Relief Fund for Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Helene
The Georgia Department of Agriculture, in a partnership with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and in support by the Georgia Farm Bureau, has launched the Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund to aid farmers and ranchers facing devastating losses from Hurricane Helene. The fund aims to raise $1 million by December to provide direct financial aid to those impacted by the storm.
The Weathered But Strong: Hurricane Relief Fund is a crossindustry initiative designed to assist Georgia’s farmers with recovery efforts, including damages to crops, livestock, and farm infrastructure. The campaign emphasizes resilience within the agricultural community and collaboration across the sector to ensure a strong recovery for the state's farming community.
"The Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund is a perfect example of Georgians helping Georgians in their time of need, and we're proud to work hand-in-hand with Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and all our industry partners to get much-need relief to our farmers and producers," says Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. "The damage Helene caused to our agricultural community is devastating for farm families across our state, and I strongly encourage anyone who is able to donate, to do so through the Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund."
The fund will help address essential needs by covering gaps left by other forms of assistance, for efforts like repairing fences, restoring livestock operations, rebuilding essential structures, and eventually providing financial aid to those impacted. Applications for farmers will be available beginning Nov. 15, 2024.
In Coffee County, farmers Danny and Angie O’Steen witnessed the
destruction of cotton and timber on their land.
"The kind of loss we saw all over Coffee County is incalculable and catastrophic," Angie O'Steen remarks after seeing the damage to farms around the area.
Danny O'Steen adds, "This was a storm of a lifetime that couldn't have come at a worse time for Georgia farmers as they were starting the harvest season."
Visit SupportGeorgiaFarmers. org to donate online or download the forms for check contributions. At press time, more than $750,000 has been raised from 575 supporters.
The Weathered But Strong Hurricane Relief Fund is made possible by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and 38 agricultural organizations.
Georgia Peanut Farm Show set for Jan. 16, 2025, in Tifton
Show includes exhibits, continuing education, awards and more
Producers can fine-tune their farming operation with information gained at the 48th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in January. The event will be held Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Peanut farmers and those involved in the peanut industry will be able to learn more about the latest products, services and peanut research at the 2024 Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference. The show is sponsored and coordinated by the Georgia Peanut Commission.
The one-day show offers farmers the opportunity to view the products and services of nearly 100 exhibitors and continuing education for the 2025 production season.
Farm Show chairman Rodney Dawson is looking forward to the 2025 show.
“I encourage farmers to attend this one-day show in Tifton,” Dawson says. “The knowledge they will gain from industry representatives and
seminars is an investment in the future of their farm.”
The University of Georgia will present an educational peanut production seminar on Thursday morning from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m.
An industry seed seminar will also be held Thursday morning from 10:35 to 11:35 a.m. This event is sponsored by the American Peanut
Georgia Peanut Farm Show
January 16, 2025
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
Tifton, Georgia
Jan. 16, 2025
8:00 a.m. - Show Opens
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. - UGA Peanut Production Seminar
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Blood Drive
10:35 - 11:35 a.m. - Industry Seed Seminar
Noon - Awards Luncheon
2:00 p.m. - Grand Door Prize
2:30 p.m. - Show Closes
Shellers Association Committee on Variety & Seed Development, Peanut Foundation, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and the Georgia Peanut Commission. Growers will be able to learn about farm-saved seed, peanut varieties available for 2025 and varieties on the horizon.
Farmers will also have the opportunity to earn credit toward their private or commercial pesticide applicator certification.
A free luncheon begins at noon for all attendees, with an opportunity for farmers to win more than $40,000 in door prizes afterward. The Georgia Peanut Commission will present a short program beginning at 12:15 p.m. that will cover award presentations and other special recognitions.
The Georgia Peanut Commission, in cooperation with One Blood, will hold a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center during the show.
For more information on the show, contact GPC at 229-386-3470 or online at www.gapeanuts.com.
The 2025 Georgia Peanut Farm Show is set for Jan. 16, 2025, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center.
Georgia Young Peanut farmer award nominations due dec. 6
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Tifton, Georgia. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF.
The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award is based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership, civic, church and community service activities.
"We have so many young peanut farmers making a difference in their communities and I consider this awards program a great opportunity to recognize one young peanut farmer for their contributions to the agricultural industry," says Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.
The award is open for any active
Georgia peanut farmer who is not over 45 years of age, as of Jan. 16, 2025. An individual may receive the award only once. There is no limit on the number of applicants from each county in Georgia.
"BASF is honored to be a sponsor of the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award,” says Dan Watts, district manager of BASF
Crop Protection Products. "We are committed to agriculture and bringing new innovative solutions to producers that will allow them to continue to be successful.”
Applications are due to the GPC office by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The award application is available online at gapeanuts.com or by contacting Joy Crosby at 229-386-3690 or emailing joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.
The 2024 award was presented to Mallory Harvey of Baxley, Georgia. The award winner receives registration and hotel accommodations to attend the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July 2025, at Panama City Beach, Florida, and a sign to display at his or her farm
Peanut Sustainability program sign up for 2024 crop
The American Peanut Council recently launched the 2024 crop enrollment for the Sustainable U.S. peanuts Initiative. In its fourth year, the initiative is supporting America's peanut industry with metrics on the most efficient use of production resources and encouraging farm operation sustainability practices that will help meet customer expectations, lead to increased demand for peanuts and set the stage for long-term economic viability.
Through April 2025, peanut growers can enroll or update their information from previous crop years at sustainableuspeanuts.org.
"For peanut growers to be productive and profitable, the industry will need to increase demand for peanuts, and in our current market one of the biggest drivers for demand is quickly becoming sustainability," says Richard Owen, American Peanut Council president and CEO. “Because consumers are demanding
sustainable food production practices, manufacturers, retailers and our international trading partners have the same expectations. To be competitive, both domestically and internationally, the industry will need to prove and document peanut sustainability, which is the goal of the initiative."
Sustainable U.S. Peanuts is supported by the peanut industry and administered by the American Peanut Council. It is the first of its kind, industry led and industry fed, peanut sustainability initiative. Relying
on growers to input their verifiable sustainability practices, the initiative aggregates sustainability data from across the entire peanut industry. It is creating transparency that will serve the entire supply chain, from the people who love to grow peanuts, to the people who love to eat them.
"The peanut industry has an incredible and evolving sustainability story to tell and the industry supported Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative is helping growers be part of the narrative," Owen says.
The Sustainable U.S. Peanuts platform is now open for growers to enroll their 2024 crop year. For more information on how to enroll, visit sustainableuspeanuts. org or contact Allie Randell, director of sustainability, at arandell@peanutsusa. com.
the lone star state welcomes peanut leaders
By Jessie Bland
Members of Class XIII of the Peanut Leadership Academy completed session three of the 18-month program Aug. 12-15, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. This session focused on peanut production in West Texas, media training, preparation for the class's legislative session in Washington, D.C., and learning about other agricultural sectors in the Lone Star State.
The class started out with a visit to Birdsong Peanuts' shelling facility. This location is Birdsong's Southwest area headquarters and can shell all four types of peanuts grown in the U.S. While here, they also received an in-depth overview of the peanut grading process from Darlene Cowart, Birdsong's vice president for food safety and quality. The group then visited SM Fab in Wellman. SM Fab is a custom fabricator creating different types of implements to meet the farmers' needs; however, the company specializes in round cotton bale handlers for gins and farmers.
The group enjoyed lunch catered
by former PLA graduate, Mason Becker, at Y Knot Vineyard, owned by current PLA class member, Henry Froese. The group took a stroll through the vineyards with Froese to learn more about the growing and harvesting process. West Texas is ideal for growing grapes due to the warm weather, long growing season and low humidity. The afternoon was spent learning all about growing peanuts in West Texas and touring area fields. Growing peanuts in West Texas can be a lot different than other U.S. peanutgrowing areas, so the class was able to see and hear about production practices they may or may not have been familiar with.
Lindsay Kennedy, assistant professor of practice at Texas Tech's department of agricultural education and communications, conducted the class's media training alongside Lauren Highfill Williams, director of communications at the National Peanut Board. The class learned more about interviewing techniques, best practices with the media and even
had the chance to conduct mock interviews. Following media training, Tom Sell spoke to the group about the current work on the farm bill and how to best prepare for their Washington, D.C. session. The day concluded with afternoon tours of Texas Tech University's Gordon W. Davis Meat Science Laboratory, Lubbock Feeders and South Plains Compost.
PLA, sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection and the American Peanut Shellers Association, and coordinated by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, provides leadership training for young farmers and sheller representatives within the U.S. peanut industry. Participants gain leadership skills and are given an insight into many different issues the peanut industry faces. Current participating states include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.
Class XIII of the Peanut Leadership Academy will travel to Washington, D.C. in 2025 for their final education session. Additional information about the Peanut Leadership Academy is available on the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation website at southernpeanutfarmers.org.
Georgia participant, Jess McNeill, and Florida participant, Lonnie Gilbert, look at a field of Spanish peanuts.
PLA class members take a photo in front of the Texas flag displayed at Martin Farms in Brownfield, Texas.
Texas participant, Henry Froese, discusses the harvesting process for grapes at his vineyard, Y Knot Vineyard in Seagraves, Texas.
2024 Southern Peanut growers conference in review
The 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference was held July 17-19, 2024, at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia. The threeday event provided farmers with information relating to the future of non-food uses of peanuts, legislative updates and more. The event also allowed farmers the opportunity to visit with multiple companies offering services or new products for the farm.
The opening general session featured Chancellor Sonny Perdue of the University System of Georgia. Perdue held a Q&A with farmers in attendance so he could hear first-hand from growers what their priorities are for research. Following Perdue, David Porter with the Georgia Ports Authority provided an overview of the Savannah port where 34 percent of all peanut exports move through the port. Peanut agronomists Scott Monfort and Kris Balkcom provided an update on the peanut crop.
The second general session focused on exploring the future of non-food uses of peanuts with Michael Deliberto, Louisiana State University; Jessie Bland, Georgia Peanut Commission; and Ondulla Toomer with USDA Agricultural Research Service. Deliberto and Bland set the stage on why exploring non-food uses are important considering the current commodity prices, high input costs and shifts in population. Toomer provided an update on her on-going research using peanuts for feed to broiler and layer chickens which has shown to enhance poultry and egg production.
The third general session focused on legislative activities and featured Congressman Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma. Congressman Lucas addressed the group with an update on ag policy and his hope for a farm bill before the end of the year. Additionally, Bob Redding
By Joy Crosby
of The Redding Firm, updated attendees on legislative issues and Stanley Fletcher, professor of policy at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, provided information on the Peanut Representative Farms and featured a panel of farmers to discuss their experience with the program. The rep farms provide the industry with information on the true costs of peanut production at the farm level and how changes in policy will impact farmers.
Awards were presented during the conference to deserving industry representatives and farmers.
John Altom with Valent presented the 2024 Valor Award to Bob Parker, retired president and CEO of the National Peanut Board. During Parker's time with NPB, he intensified NPB's work in food allergy and in building strong relationship with researchers and food allergy advocacy groups which continues to benefit the industry today.
Parker has dedicated 47 years in service to the peanut industry by serving in a variety of roles with various peanut organizations. In 2024, Parker formed Peanut Solutions, LLC, a consulting business providing expertise in peanut production, sourcing and food allergy solutions.
Farm Press presented the 2024 Peanut Efficiency Awards during the breakfast on Saturday morning. The 2024 winners are: Upper Southeast: Kevin, Drew and Brad Monahan, Waverly, Virginia; Lower Southeast: Shannon Nixon, Baker, Florida; Delta: Milton and Drew Parrish, Lexington, Mississippi; and Southwest: Jesse Dyck, Denver City, Texas.
Photos, speaker presentations, interviews and more are available online at the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation website at southernpeanutfarmers.org.
Lower Southeast: Shannon Nixon, Baker, Fla., and Upper Southeast: Kevin and Drew Monahan, Waverly, Virginia. Not pictured is Upper Southeast winner, Brad Monahan.
Congressman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., provides an update on ag policy and the farm bill during the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference.
John Altom (left) with Valent, presents the 2024 Valor Award to Bob Parker (right) retired president and CEO of the National Peanut Board, during the 2024 Southern Peanut Growers Conference.
The 2024 Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award winners are (left to right) Delta: Milton and Drew Parrish, Lexington, Mississippi; Southwest: Jesse Dyck, Denver City, Texas;
Georgia Peanut Achievement Club
Sixteen farmers recognized for 2023 high yields
By Joy Crosby
Sixteen farmers were recently announced by the University of Georgia Peanut Team for their high yielding peanuts in 2023. The high yields ranged from 4,629 to 6,357 pounds per acre.
The winners were recognized at a dinner in August which was sponsored by the University of Georgia Peanut Team, the Georgia Peanut Commission, American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, AMVAC, Bayer, BASF, Fine Americas and Nichino America.
Many of the high yielding farmers agree that having a good rotation, good quality seed and good weather make all the difference with their yields. Additionally, the timing of applications for disease, weed and insect management are key in achieving high yields.
"Many of the state winners combine their management strategies like crop rotation, variety, planting date and critical timing of applications of pesticides to reach these high yields," says Scott Monfort, University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist. "The yields are counted for the entire farm, irrigated or dryland; and they continue to increase year after year."
Another component of the farmers' success is following recommendations from the Extension service and asking questions.
According to a report on the production practices of the 2023 winners, the majority use a 3-year rotation plan with other crops such as cotton or corn. Most of the winners plant in twin rows during the month of May.
Another trait among the high yield winners is cultivar selection with many of the winners planting the Georgia-
06G cultivar. Other cultivars planted by the winners include TifNV-High O/L and Georgia-12Y.
The 2023 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club overall state winners are R&A Partnership, Mitchell County, with 6,357 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category; John Gaines Jr., Baker County, with 6,075 pounds per acre and Cole Godowns, Jefferson County, with 6,048 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category and 4 Miller Farms, Seminole County, with 6,164 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 1 winners are Nochaway Farms Partnership, Webster County, with 4,629 pounds per acre in the 100-299 category and Kyle Odom, Early County, with 6,135 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category.
The District 2 winners are TAC Farms, Mitchell County, with 5,242 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category and JLC Farms, Mitchell County with 6,075 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 3 winners are Lanlett Farms, Jefferson County, with 5,602 pounds per acre, and Ray Walker, Ben Hill County, with 5,546 pounds per acre in the 100-299 acreage category; David Selph, Wilcox County, with 6,190 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category; Dawson Brothers Farms, Pulaski County, with 5,532 pounds per acre, River Ridge Farms, Jefferson County, with 5,336 pounds per acre and Kerry Hodges, Screven County, with 5,135 pounds per acre in the 700-plus acreage category.
The District 4 winners are Dixie Hay Farm, Brooks County, with 5,709 pounds per acre in the 100299 acreage category and KCB Partnership, Irwin County, with 5,976 pounds per acre in the 300-699 acreage category.
The 2023 Georgia Peanut Achievement Club state winners were recognized at an awards ceremony Aug. 24, 2024, at Jekyll Island, Ga.
Washington Outlook
By Robert L. Redding Jr.
Representatives from the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation traveled to Washington, D.C. on September 9 to participate in a multi-commodity fly-in with more than 50 other representatives from crop production and agricultural lending organizations. During the trip, SPFF representatives met with Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as senior agricultural staff, to discuss the critical need for passing a Farm Bill before the end of 2024.
In November 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed a 1-year extension of Farm Bill programs at the same levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. This extension expired on Sept. 30, 2024, and many commodity organizations are strongly encouraging a new Farm Bill, rather than another extension.
SPFF representatives played a vital role in advocating for the Farm Bill during approximately 60 meetings on Capitol Hill, providing insight to current extreme economic conditions and other issues they are experiencing across the Southeast. The SPFF participants also addressed the desperate need for financial assistance to farmers before the new year and new Congress. The fly-in was successful in relaying a strong message across Capitol Hill.
Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, was among the SPFF representatives in attendance.
"We met with Members and their staff to convey the extreme urgency to have a new farm bill done before the end of the year. It's clear that we need this congress to write the farm bill. Time is of the essence," Boddiford says.
Joey Williams, a peanut farmer from Lenox, Georgia, also attended with the group.
sent
for
with House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott, D-Georgia, including Southern Peanut Farmers Federation representative Joe Boddiford.
"I enjoyed working alongside other commodity members toward a common goal for the betterment of the agricultural industry. I appreciated the interest and support shown to us by the congressional members and staff this week," he says.
Additionally, on September 9, more than 300 national and state groups sent a letter to congressional leaders, calling on them to pass the farm bill before year's end.
Signatories included groups representing farmers, livestock and specialty crop producers, lenders and other essential stakeholders. Peanut-specific support was provided by the American Peanut Shellers Association, National Peanut Buying Points Association, U.S. Peanut Federation, Alabama Peanut
Producers Association, Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, and Western Peanut Growers.
The letter stated, "It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable, and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate. Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year."
"The farm bill reauthorization provides an opportunity for Congress to address serious challenges in agriculture."
Southern Peanut Farmers Federation join over 50 agriculture representatives in push for farm bill
Southern Peanut Farmers Federation representatives Clint Hood, Joe Boddiford, Andy Bell and Joey Willams visit with U.S. Representative Rick Allen, R-Georgia.
Southern Peanut Farmers Federation representatives Joey Williams, Mark Kaiser, and Clint Hood meet with U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama.
A group with representatives from multiple commodity organizations visit U.S. Representative Austin Scott, R-Georgia. Southern Peanut Farmers Federation attendees were Joe Boddiford and Andy Bell.
Multiple commodity teams
representatives
a meeting
U.S. Peanut Federation signs on to letter commenting on proposed decision for Acephate
The U.S. Peanut Federation recently signed a letter with other commodity organizations to the Director of the Pesticide Re-Evaluation Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Anne Overstreet, commenting on the EPA’s recent proposed interim decision (PID) for acephate, a common insecticide critical for various U.S. crops and nonagricultural uses.
The letter addresses concerns from stakeholder groups, arguing against the EPA's proposal to terminate all acephate uses except for tree injections, suggesting instead that modest adjustments could address identified risks, particularly those related to drinking water. The letter also emphasizes that acephate
is vital for managing pests in highvalue crops like peanuts. Removing this product would severely impact agriculture, especially peanut farmers and specialty crop producers with few alternative products. The stakeholders urge the EPA to reconsider its approach and work with industry groups to find a solution that addresses risks without eliminating the valuable uses of acephate.
The letter stated, "Acephate is an incredibly important tool for U.S. farmers and other users. It is relatively affordable, effective, and is a vital component to the insect management strategy of thousands of farmers and businesses across the country. We do not want to undermine the concerns EPA recently raised in its revised
USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator tours South Georgia following Hurricane Helene
Representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture's Risk Management Agency recently visited Georgia to review the damage from Hurricane Helene and speak directly to farmers who were impacted. In attendance were RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger, RMA Deputy Administrator for Product Management Richard Flournoy and Valdosta Regional Office Director Davina Lee and Deputy Director Matthew Wilkin.
The group toured farms across Lowndes and Atkinson counties, including Danny Swilley's peanut fields in Lake Park, Georgia, where Don Koehler, Georgia Peanut Commission executive director, joined for the discussion.
The U.S. Peanut Federation and Georgia Peanut Commission will continue to work with RMA on efforts related to Hurricane Helene.
Drinking Water Risk Assessments and the PID, however based on the scope of those concerns, we believe they are narrow and can be safely managed with modifications to the existing uses."
"Throwing out nearly every registered use to address this regionally specific risk is unnecessary and will greatly harm the agricultural producers and other users who rely on this tool. We urge EPA to work with the Acephate Task Force, individual registrants, and stakeholders and consider additional data developed to address risks of concern to ensure important uses of acephate can be preserved."
FY25 Appropriations update
Fiscal Year 2024 program funding was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2024; however, a Continuing Resolution (CR) was passed on September 25 to extend FY24 funding. When Congress left for October recess, the U.S. House of Representatives had passed 5 of 12 appropriations bills, while the U.S. Senate had passed none.
Congress will return to session on November 12 and have a deadline of Dec. 20, 2024, to pass FY25 funding through the House and the Senate to the President’s desk.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee has previously approved the FY25 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies legislation, which would provide an increase of $500,000 above the FY24 nutrition allocation of $2 million for peanut nutrition research programs. The committee also voted to continue the peanut aflatoxin contamination research funding for FY25 at the same $4 million level from FY24.
Danny Swilley, Lowndes County farmer, discusses the damage to his crops from Hurricane Helene with USDA Risk Management Agency's Adminsitrator Marcia Bunger.
Photo by Andy Harrison.
1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 |(770) 751-6615 | lpwagner@comcast.net
Backyard Bash Satellite Media Tour
Southern Peanut Growers worked with A-1 Broadcast and award-winning Chef David Olson to put peanut butter front and center on television and radio stations and online outlets nationwide.
Chef Olson and his group, Live Fire Republic, believe that outdoor gatherings around a grill are one of the few places people of all ages and backgrounds can still get together for great food and conversation and make great memories. He claims peanut butter is the flavor rising to the top for outdoor cooking this summer.
"It's a classic American flavor I love to bring to outdoor cooks in new and surprising ways," Chef Olson says.
He showcased 'perfectly sticky' Grilled PB&J Wings and Nutter Butter Banana Pudding for dessert. Chef Olson knows Americans love their fourlegged friends so he also shared a Peanut Butter dog treat to make ahead and have available at outdoor gatherings.
Chef Olson did 26 live television and radio interviews for four hours on August 6 promoting peanuts and peanut butter, Bush's Baked Beans, Bic MultiPurpose lighters and Ember Craft sauces to make a consumer's Backyard Bash unforgettable. The tour resulted in a cumulative audience of 16.9 million and a 206 million potential online reach. The advertising value of this satellite media tour is $492,761.
SPG exhibits at Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences and National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Southern Peanut Growers partnered with Virginia Peanut Growers Association (VPGA) at the Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences annual conference in Harrisonburg on July 24. Caitlin Joyner with VPGA exhibited at the conference and provided items for the registration bags. There were nearly 150 teachers in attendance at this year's conference.
Leslie Wagner, executive director of SPG, helped staff the exhibit and spoke during a breakout session on Peanuts: A Super Food with Super Powers. Topics covered included sustainability, the latest in nutrition research, and updates on food allergy and how to manage peanut allergies in schools.
Wagner also exhibited at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in Tucson, Arizona, in September. There were 750 Extension professionals in attendance.
SPG exhibits at Minnesota School Nutrition Association Annual Conference
Southern Peanut Growers exhibited at the Minnesota School Nutrition Association's Annual Conference in St. Cloud, Aug. 5 - 6, 2024. Minnesota is one of the top states in terms of students participating in the school nutrition program. This year's attendance was their largest in some time and the exhibit hall was their largest ever.
SPG is part of national effort by peanut growers to work with K-12 schools across the country to provide information on managing food allergies in schools and return peanuts to the school nutrition program if they have a current peanut ban in place.
Chef David Olson shares peanut butter recipes through a satellite media tour reaching 16.9 million consumers.
Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, exhibits at the Minnesota School Nutrition Association Annual Conference in August.
Caitlin Joyner, Virginia Peanut Growers Association executive director, and Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, exhibit at the Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Leslie Wagner, Southern Peanut Growers executive director, exhibits at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in September.
