January/February 2024 - Southeastern Peanut Farmer

Vol. 62 No. 1 | Jan./Feb. 2024

Chase Farms Faith, Family and Farming for 63 Years

2024

Peanut Variety Guidebook

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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A Look Inside

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Peanut Variety Guidebook

IN THIS ISSUE 6 | 16 ON THE ROCKS LEADS TO 63 YEARS Georgia farm family Glen Lee and Ellen Chase recently celebrated 63 years of marriage and farming.

20 | FARM TO TABLE TOUR

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association held a harvest tour for culinary educators and food bloggers.

24 | NPB ELECTS OFFICERS The National Peanut Board elected 2024 officers at its December meeting.

26 | ALABMA-FLORIDA PEANUT TRADE SHOW The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is set for Feb. 1, 2024.

DEPARTMENTS 10 | CHECKOFF REPORT

Alabama Peanut Producers Association Florida Peanut Producers Association Georgia Peanut Commission Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

28 | WASHINGTON OUTLOOK 30 | SOUTHERN PEANUT GROWERS UPDATE

12 2024 PEANUT VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

Selecting a variety is a key management step for farmers. SEPF’s 2024 Variety Guidebook highlights varieties available to growers in the Southeast and provides growers with the results of state variety tests.

On The Cover Ellen and Glen Lee Chase celebrate 63 years of marriage and a life-time of farming. The couple farms peanuts, corn and raises broilers at Chase Farms in Oglethorpe, Ga. Photo by Joy Crosby.

SEPF TEAM Editor Joy Carter Crosby joycrosby@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3690

Director of Jessie Bland Advertising jessie@gapeanuts.com 229.386.3472

Contributing Kaycee Rippey Writing kaycee@alpeanuts.com 334.792.6482

Southeastern Peanut Farmer is published six times a year (Jan./Feb., March, April, May/June, July/Aug., and Oct./Nov.) by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. The publisher is not responsible for copy omission, typographical errors, or any unintentional errors that may occur, other than to correct it in the following issue. Any erroneous reflection which may occur in the columns of Southeastern Peanut Farmer will be corrected upon brought to the attention of the editor. (Phone 229-386-3690.)

Postmaster: Send address changes (Form 3579) to Southeastern Peanut Farmer, P.O. Box 706, Tifton, Georgia, 31793.

Circulation is free to qualified peanut growers and others allied to the industry. Periodical postage paid at Tifton, Georgia and additional mailing office.

Editorial Content: Editorial copy from sources outside of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may, or may not, coincide with official Southern Peanut Farmers Federation policies. Publication of material does not necessarily imply its endorsement by the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation.

For editorial concerns call 229-386-3690. No portion of this or past issues of the Southeastern Peanut Farmer may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the written consent of the editor. By-lined articles appearing in this publication represent views of the authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.

Advertising: The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. Corrections to advertisements must be made after the first run. All billing offers subject to credit review. Advertisements contained in this publication do not represent an endorsement by the Southeastern Peanut Farmer or the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation. Use of trade names in this publication is for the purpose of providing specific information and is not a guarantee nor warranty of products named. For advertising concerns call 229-386-3472.

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Editor’s thoughts Unearthing History at the Family Farm

T

he end of a year and beginning of a new year brings about a time of reflection for me. This year, I had time to reflect while cleaning out a shelter that had been damaged from a hurricane last fall at the family farm. I know many farmers have times where they need to clean out, organize and sort various farm items that have accumulated over the years.

This clean out was different from earlier times. This one provided me the opportunity to visit with my dad more and hear stories about when the shelter was built in 1950 and stories about the various items I found. My dad will be turning 88 in January, so I know the time I have left with him is very precious.

Some of the items were reminders of how material things rust and degrade over time, especially if left outside under an open shelter. However, the memories of those items and the first time they were used on the farm are cherished memories that can’t be taken for granted.

Those memories instill a since of pride in our families for those who started the family farm many years ago. Today, we can still have the same sense of pride in those who continue working the land and for the future generations to come.

So, for anyone else that needs to have a shelter or barn cleaned out, then I encourage you to do so with the older generations in your family. There may be unearthed treasures or untold stories that you need to hear about your family farm.

Who knows, you may even find some hidden gems that you could repurpose into rustic decorations for your home. 

South Carolina Peanut Day Jan. 25, 2024, Santee Convention Center, Santee, S.C. For more info call Dan Anco at 630-207-4926 or danco@clemson.edu.

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Feb. 1, 2024, National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, Dothan, Ala. For more info call 334-792-6482 or visit alpeanuts.com or flpeanuts.com.

Georgia Agribusiness Council Annual Meeting and Legislative Breakfast Feb. 6-7, 2024, Atlanta, Ga. For more info visit ga-agribusiness.org.

Georgia Peanut Commission Research Report Day Feb. 7, 2024, University of Georgia National Environmentally Sound Production Laboratory (NESPAL), Tifton, Ga. For more info visit gapeanuts.com or call 229-386-3470.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association Annual Meeting Feb. 15, 2024, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, Misss. For more information visit misspeanuts.com.

Joy Carter Crosby SEPF Editor

2024 Ag Forecast Seminar

Jan. 26 beginning at 8:00 a.m.

UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center, Tifton, Ga. Register online at: www.agforecast.caes.uga.edu Moderated Session: Farmer of the Year Announcement Georgia Ag Economy Outlook Industry Speaker

Events

Breakout Session Topics: Row Crops Hospitality/Fruit & Vegetables Livestock Nursery, Greenhouse & Forestry

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National Peanut Buying Points Association Annual Meeting Feb. 16-19, 2024, The DeSoto, Savannah, Ga. For more info visit nationalpeanutbuyingpoints.org.

Spray Drone End User Conference Feb. 26-29, 2024, The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Ala. For more info contact Steve Li at steveli@auburn.edu.

Florida Peanut Producers Association Annual Meeting Feb. 29, 2024, Jackson County Agricultural Complex and Conference Center, Marianna, Fla. For more info visit flpeanuts. com.

American Peanut Shellers Association Industry Spring Conference March 19-20, 2024, Albany, Ga. For more info visit peanut-shellers.org.

Let us know about your event. Please send details to the editor at joycrosby@gapeanuts.com.

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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16 on the Rocks leads to 63 years Faith, Family and Farming at Chase Farms

by Joy Crosby

Ellen and Glen Lee Chase celebrate 63 years of marriage and a life-time of farming. The couple farms peanuts, corn and raises broilers at Chase Farms in Oglethorpe, Ga.

T

he initial statement was simple and direct. However, the young waitress, Ellen Heath, didn’t understand what the young gentleman wanted.

“I would like a grilled cheese and 16 on the rocks,” were some of the first words Glen Lee said to Ellen in 1959 at the Dixie Queen in Oglethorpe, Georgia. Of course, Ellen didn’t know what 16 on the rocks was, so she had to ask around, which led to her finally talking to Glen Lee. The rest is history with dating, marriage, children and farming.

“I got her attention and have had it ever since,” says Glen Lee. “Also, 16

on the rocks is another way to ask for a Dr. Pepper.”

Glen Lee and Ellen Chase celebrated 63 years of marriage on Nov. 23, 2023.

The Early Years Glen Lee began farming in 1952 with his dad, Glen. Originally from Oklahoma, Glen, wanted a farm where he could irrigate the crops, so the farm along the Flint River in Oglethorpe, Georgia, was purchased and Chase Farms began irrigating crops in 1952.

During the early years on the farm, approximately four acres of peanuts

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were grown under the allotment system, along with vegetables like okra, cabbage, mustard and turnip greens for Southern Frozen Foods.

Chase Farms also grew corn and cotton through the years.

Even though Ellen grew up in Oglethorpe and other smaller towns due to her dad working for the railroad, she didn’t consider herself a city girl like Glen Lee likes to say.

“I wasn’t a city girl, but I had no idea what I was getting into when marrying a farmer,” Ellen says. “I mean, especially in that first year; things were really tight financially.”

“We planted cotton in 1962 and once we harvested the first bale of cotton, we went and paid off the grocery bill," Ellen say. "It was a blessing to have friends where we could do that.”

Broilers and Pullets Right before getting married, Glen Lee and Ellen built a chicken house to provide income for them. They raised broilers for about ten weeks. Glen Lee recalls how in the beginning it took 10 weeks to raise a 3.5-pound broiler and today with advances in genetics, feed and housing, Chase Farms is able to raise a 5 pound broiler in five weeks.

After a little while of raising the broilers, the Chase family decided to raise replacement pullets for egg farmers. However, the egg farmer went bankrupt and the Chase family had a house full of pullets that were beginning to lay eggs, so they went into the egg business.

The family purchased their own packing equipment, developed their brand, marketing route and made their own feed for nine years.

“We had a good business. It made us good money but worked us to death, so we sold everything we had, and the market was good at that time,” Glen Lee says. “The year after selling out, the market crashed. That is probably one of the best decisions Chase Farms ever made.”

The Chases got out of the egg business in 1969.

The Chase Children Glen Lee and Ellen welcomed their first child, Barbara in 1961 and their son, Donald in 1964. Education has also been an important aspect of their life. Glen Lee didn’t finish high school and Ellen is a high school graduate, so they wanted to make sure their children had a good education. Glen Lee and Ellen told their children they had to get a college education.

Barbara continued her education and became a physician and lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Even though Barbara didn’t return to the family farm, she made sure her children gained an education on the farm by working during the summer months.

In fact, all of the grandchildren, nieces and nephews have experienced work on the farm during the summer.

Donald also had no interest in returning to the family farm. However, after he graduated from college with a master's degree in business and finance from Vanderbilt University, and married Michelle, he decided to return to the family farm. Donald began farming in 1988 with Glen Lee and Ellen.

Farming Together During the early years of marriage, Ellen worked a little off the farm by doing some election work, clerk in probate court, secretarial work in a doctor’s office and kept up with the children, Donald and Barbara.

However, once Glen Lee’s dad became ill, Ellen took more of an active role on the farm in the 1980s.

“I respect his knowledge of farming and how to do things timely."

Ellen Chase Through their farming experiences, there has been some learning along the way. Ellen’s first experience driving a tractor was with a little International tractor. She recalls not knowing that you set the tractor speed and didn’t have to keep your foot on a gas pedal. Through the years, she became proficient in backing up trailers and harvesting peanuts with the peanut picker. The first peanut picker she operated was the Lilliston and now she drives the self-propelled Amadas combine.

“Yesterday I called Ellen and told her she was doing an excellent job,” Glen Lee says. “I am impressed with her all the time.”

Photo by Donald Chase.

Ellen recalls how they ran a grocery bill with friends who ran a grocery store.

Ellen Chase picks peanuts with a self-propelled Amadas peanut combine in the fall of 2023.

Ellen shares the same sentiment about Glen Lee and his knowledge of farming.

“I respect his knowledge of farming and how to do things timely,” Ellen says.

In 1980, a new bypass through town gave Ellen the idea to set up a small roadside stand to sell their abundance of sweet corn from the farm. Ellen put a little sign by the road and Glen Lee picked three hampers of sweet corn for her. Glen Lee didn’t think she would sell much, but the sweet corn sold quickly and she needed more to sell. Through the years, the roadside stand has continued to grow and expand its offerings.

Today, the roadside stand is a Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market and includes the sweet corn, along with creamed corn, corn salsa and vegetables to those driving along Highway 26 East in Oglethorpe from June to July.

Peanuts are one of the primary crops today at Chase Farms, and the farm has been recognized multiple times for their high yields. Glen Lee gives credit to the University of Georgia Extension Service for educational programs provided to Georgia farmers and especially to the first peanut specialist, Frank McGill, for helping the Chase family win their first high yield award via the Georgia Money Maker Award (presently known now as the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club) in 1970.

“My dad and I didn’t really know how to farm too well,” Glen Continued on page 8

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Continued from page 7

and 21 district awards. Their highest yield in 2018 was 7,191 pounds per acre on 439 acres.

In 2023, Glen Lee harvested his 71st peanut crop.

Glen Lee and Ellen have both been involved through the years with Georgia Farm Bureau. They have been able to gain new friends and even ideas for the farm at the conventions.

Ellen Chase brings Glen Lee Chase lunch during the harvest season.

Lee recalls. “So, our county agent, Bill Hunter, sent us to Tifton to meet with Frank McGill.”

Glen Lee and his dad were yielding about a ton per acre with their peanuts but after meeting with McGill, the Chase family yielded 4,151 pounds on 10 acres. Since then, Glen Lee, Ellen and Donald have received seven state awards for high yielding peanuts

T

When Glen Lee attended the American Farm Bureau Convention in Hawaii 20 years ago, he went to a workshop John Deere offered showcasing the new guidance auto steer system for tractors. As soon as he returned, Glen Lee told Donald they needed to invest in GPS. Of course, Donald was doubtful at the time that it would work. However, later that year Donald saw the GPS in operation during the Sunbelt Ag Expo and quickly changed his mind.

Today, Glen Lee and Ellen continue their farming operation

"Yesterday, I called Ellen and told her she was doing an excellent job. I am impressed with her all the time."

Glen Lee Chase alongside Donald and his wife, Michelle. They continue to look for innovative ways to farm and carry on the legacy that is Chase Farms.

They are proud grandparents to five grandchildren and great grandparents to six great grandchildren with two on the way.

"We give thanks daily for God's blessings on our marriage, family and farm for these 63 years," Ellen says.

Needless to say, 16 on the rocks may have started the conversation, but a lifetime of love and dedication to one another, as well as Georgia agriculture has kept it going. 

Chase to lead American Peanut council

he American Peanut Council has named a new chair to lead its Board of Directors. Georgia grower Donald Chase, owner of Chase Farms, will serve the 2024 term. He was elected at APC’s Board of Directors meeting during the organization’s annual Insights Summit conference in Washington, D.C. Chase, together with his wife, Michelle, and parents grow peanuts, corn and sweet corn on 600 acres of irrigated land. Chase Farms also produces poultry.

"Donald is highly respected in the industry, as seen reflected by his many leadership roles in various peanut organizations," says Richard Owen, APC president and CEO. "He is always looking to the future and how we can better the peanut industry to lower cost of production and improve sustainability."

Chase serves on the board of the Georgia Peanut Commission and several other peanut organizations, as well as on the board of Flint Energies.

He is the immediate past chairman of APC’s sustainability committee and immediate past vice chair of APC’s Board of Directors.

"The American Peanut Council has a rich history of moving the peanut industry forward through collaboration," Chase says. "I am confident that if the industry continues these collaborative efforts and the momentum we can make great strides, and I am excited to play a role in helping as chairman for the coming year." 

Collins McNeill (left), president of M.C. McNeil & Co., receives a plaque for his year of service as chair of the American Peanut Council in 2023 from Donald Chase, newly elected chair of the American Peanut Council.

2024 American Peanut Council Officers Chair: Donald Chase,

Lauren Marcinkoski, Luray Peanut Company

Vice Chair: Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, Mars Wrigley

Collins McNeill, McNeill & Company

Secretary/Treasurer: Clint Piper, Golden Peanut 2024 APC Executive Committee Greg Baltz, National Peanut Board Tim Burch, Georgia Peanut Commission Dell Cotton, Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association Greg Harnish, Birdsong Peanuts

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Patricia Moody, OFI John Powell, American Peanut Shellers Association Brian Reed, The JM Smucker Company Rachel Santos, Premium Peanut Joel Sirmon, Alabama Peanut Producers Association Larry Don Womack, Texas Peanut Producers Board

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer

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Checkoff Report

Investments Made by Growers for the Future of the Peanut Industry FPPA attends Florida School Nutrition Association Conference The Florida Peanut Producers Association recently exhibited at the Florida School Nutrition Association Conference and Expo in Orlando, Florida. Every School district in Florida was represented at the annual conference, and approximately 400 exhibitors were in attendance to visit with school nutrition officials.

"This conference allows us to visit with the school district food service directors and managers and those making the purchasing decisions for the district," says Ken Barton, FPPA executive director. "The recent success in getting peanut butter back in two Florida school districts has led to a few other districts trying to do the same. We continue to offer assistance to help bring peanut butter back to the breakfast and lunch menus."

Ken Barton visits with attendees during the Florida School Nutrition Association Conference.

The FPPA exhibit offered roasted peanuts, Jif-To-Go peanut butter cups, recipes, as well as health and nutritional information on consuming peanuts and peanut products.

Thanks to The Peanut Institute for the co-promotion assistance for this conference and the National Peanut Board for school nutrition-related materials.

FPPA exhibits at Florida Farm Bureau

The Florida Peanut Producers attends and exhibits at the FLorida Farm Bureau Conference in Orlando, Florida.

The Florida Peanut Producers Association exhibited at the Florida Farm Bureau Federation annual convention held in Orlando. The event provided FPPA an opportunity to visit with farmers and ranchers from across the state who have been #GrowingForward throughout the year. The FPPA provided educational information, roasted peanuts, and Jif-To-Go peanut butter cups. As part of the Farm Bureau Convention passport, the FPPA booth was visited by all attendees during the two-day event.

APPA promotes peanuts at various fall events The Alabama Peanut Producers attended several events this past fall to promote peanuts.

In mid-October, Alabama was the Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Spotlight State and Alabama peanuts were promoted throughout the three-day event. APPA served Grilled PB&Js at the Peanut Butter Festival in Alabama Peanut Producers Brundidge, Alabama, on Oct. 28, 2023. The association Association staff visit with attendees during the Sunbelt also donated peanuts for the Alabama Extension Ag Expo in October where Week Tailgate at Auburn University on Oct. 28, 2023.

Alabama was featured as the Spotlight State.

The National Peanut Festival was held Nov. 3-12, 2023, in Dothan, Alabama. APPA set up a peanut pavilion where various types of peanut and peanut butter samples were given out to fairgoers. The booth even had a Sweet Grown Alabama peanut butter and APPA staff and board provide peanut samples and peanut jelly sandwich featuring honey peanut butter and apple butter sandwiches during the jelly grown and made in Alabama.

National Peanut Festival.

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Exhibitors go whole hog for Florida peanuts The Panhandle Youth Expo is a livestock exhibition that brings more Brittany Peacock visits than 200 youth with exhibitors and their from across the project animals before Panhandle of entering the show ring Florida to exhibit at the Panhandle Youth Expo in October. and showcase their project animals. The Florida Peanut Producers provided boiled peanuts during the swine show to give the exhibitors a delicious and nutritious snack before entering the show ring. The spectators enjoyed roasted peanuts, Jif-To-Go peanut butter cups and educational information. This event brings the public out to learn more about agriculture and gives the youth a chance to showcase their hard work with their livestock project.

APPA matches National Peanut Festival peanut butter donation The National Peanut Festival donated 1,440 jars of Peanut Proud peanut butter to the Wiregrass Area Food Bank in 2023. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association APPA and National matched the Peanut Festival team up to donate donation, for a peanut butter to the total of 2,880 jars Wiregrass Area Food going straight Bank. Pictured left to into the hands of right: David Hanks, those in need. The Wiregrass Area donation kicked off Food Bank executive director, Libbie the 2023 DreamBig Johnson, APPA Food Drive held executive director, Nov. 3, 2023, at the and Tony Ellison, National Peanut National Peanut Festival executive Festival fairgrounds. director.

Reports by

Georgia Peanut Commission presents Extension awards The Georgia Peanut Commission presented the 2023 Georgia Peanut Education for Excellence awards to county Extension agents at their annual meeting in the fall of 2023.

GPC chairman Joe Boddiford presented the awards to the agents.

The winners, pictured left to right are Boddiford; Scott Monfort, UGA Extension The Georgia Peanut Commission presents Education for Excellence Awards to four peanut agronomist; Jennifer Miller, University of Georgia Extension agents.

1st place senior agent from Jeff Davis County; Scott Carlson, 2nd place senior agent from Worth County; Justin Hand, 1st place junior agent from Tift County; Cale Cloud, 2nd place junior agent from Grady County, and Mark Abney, UGA Extension peanut entomologist.

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association exhibits at the 112th Mississippi Nurses Association Convention The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association and Southern Peanut Growers teamed up to exhibit at the Mississippi Nurses' Association Annual Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi, Oct. 25-27, 2023.

Leslie Wagner and Malcolm Broome display health and nutritional information about peanuts during the Mississippi Nurses Association Convention.

MPGA and SPG were able to interact with 250 registered nurses and 200 advanced practice registered nurses from across the state. In addition to open exhibit hours for registered nurses, there were special exhibit hours available to 900 nursing students registered for the event.

The exhibit featured early introduction to prevent peanut allergy, peanut allergy management information, nutrition information, recipes, promotional items, and peanuts. Additional materials were also distributed to a large reservation community health practice following the event.

Peanut Day at the Mississippi Farmers Market In October, the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association promoted peanuts at the Farmers Market at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. The association provided samples of roasted and boiled peanuts to 300 attendees. Mark Rodgers, Mississippi farmer, supplied the green peanuts and staff from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce boiled the peanuts.

MPGA exhibits at the Mississippi State Fair The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association exhibited during the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson, Oct. 5-15, 2023. During the event MPGA provided 7,500 complimentary samples of roasted peanuts to fair attendees. The exhibit featured educational information at their booth along with literature and recipes. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce helped staff the exhibit. This exhibit was part of the co-promotion with the National Peanut Board.

Georgia Peanuts featured on VeryVera for Peanut Butter Lovers Month Georgia Peanuts were highlighted this past fall on an episode of Very The VeryVera show, Vera. The VeryVera displayed four new show, currently in recipes using peanut its 12th season, airs butter in a November in 42 metropolitan episode for Peanut Butter Lovers Month. markets across 19 states. The show reaches 24 million U.S. households.

The segment which aired in November 2023, featured four peanut recipes using peanuts and peanut butter. The promotion was coordinated to promote National Peanut Butter Lovers Month.

The featured recipes were Peanut Butter Pie, Peanut Butter Protein Bites, Thai Chicken Pasta and Thai Green Beans. All of the recipes are available on the GPC website at gapeanuts. com. To view the episode, visit the VeryVera Youtube channel.

MPGA Peanuts at Hobnob The tradition continued Oct. 26, 2023, when more than 1,000 business executives, community leaders and elected officials attended the Comical signs Mississippi Economic leading to the entrance of Council's Hobnob Mississippi event at the the Hobnob event featured Mississippi Coliseum in Mississippi Jackson. The Mississippi peanuts.

Peanut Growers Association provided 1,200 complimentary bags of roasted peanuts. This annual event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to hear from candidates running for statewide office a few days before election. The Mississippi peanuts are always a crowd pleaser!

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 11

2024

Peanut Variety Guidebook

S

tate, federal and private peanut breeding programs are actively involved in the development of improved varieties with desirable traits for increasing dollar value, yield, grade, disease resistance, insect resistance, virus resistance, nematode resistance, aflatoxin resistance, drought tolerance, better shelling characteristics, longer shelf-life and enhanced flavor and nutritional qualities.

In the U.S., there are four peanut market types (runner, virginia, spanish and valencia), and within each market type, there are different varieties. The varieties contained in this guidebook reflect those varieties commonly planted in the Southeast and those varieties recommended by agronomists for this area due to resistance to tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). Variety selection is an important process in the overall management of the farm. This guidebook serves as a resource for growers when they select a variety for the 2024 crop year.

Runner Type ACI 3321 is a large seeded, higholeic runner peanut. ACI 3321 is a top yielding variety for ACI Seeds and in State Variety testing in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. ACI 3321 has a high level of TSWV resistance, best in class white mold resistance and very good leaf spot resistance. ACI 3321 has demonstrated stability across diverse U.S. peanut production areas.

ACI 3321 is well adapted to irrigated and dry-land production. ACI 3321 was developed by Kim M. Moore of ACI Seeds, a privately funded peanut research and development company based in South Georgia with ongoing research and development across all U.S. peanut growing regions. ACI 3321 seed will be commercially available for the planting season.

ACI 789 is a high oleic runner variety with a high percentage of medium kernels. The variety matures in about 135 days in South Georgia and has good resistance to TSWV. This variety has very good peg strength giving flexibility during harvesting when weather conditions delay digging and/or picking. ACI 789 was

released in 2015 by ACI Seeds under the Plant Variety Protection Act. ACI 789 was developed by Kim M. Moore of ACI Seeds, a privately funded peanut research and development company based in South Georgia with ongoing research and development across all U.S. peanut growing regions.

ACI 789 has demonstrated stability and success across many U.S. peanut production areas.

AU-NPL 17 is a runner type peanut with high-yielding and very good resistance to TSWV, highly tolerant to leaf spot, strong resistance to white mold and superior shelling characters. AU-NPL 17 has a prostrate growth habit with main stem and with large vines. It has high oleic fatty acid content and excellent flavor. AU-NPL 17 is well adapted to irrigated and non-irrigated lands across diverse U.S. peanut production areas. AU-NPL 17 has a lot of desirable characteristic to mitigate challenging growing conditions from year to year including strong disease package, good stem strength, larger vine and late season drought tolerance et al. The seeds

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have pink testa and medium large runner seed size, which is a little smaller than Georgia-06G. AU-NPL 17 was released by Auburn University and USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory in 2017.

FloRun™ ‘331’ is a high-yielding, medium maturity, disease tolerant runner-type variety released from the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, Florida, in 2016. It has medium runner seed size with very good grades. FloRun™ ‘331’ has had excellent pod yield in both irrigated and non-irrigated trials over several seasons of testing across several locations in Florida. Of the runnertype varieties tested for resistance to leaf spots and white mold, FloRun™ ‘331’ has had among the best pod yield and lowest disease scores and it is moderately resistant to TSWV. FloRun™ ‘331’ has high oleic oil chemistry beneficial for extended shelf-life and marketability of peanuts and peanut products.

Continued on page 14

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VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

Variety Guidebook Continued from page 12

FloRun™ ‘T61’ is a new high yielding, TSWV resistant, medium seeded, runner type variety from the University of Florida. It was released in 2020 from the North Florida Research and Education Center in Marianna, Florida. FloRun™ ‘T61’ has high yield potential demonstrated over multiple locations in Florida as well as in onfarm tests. It has high grades and outstanding resistance to spotted wilt (TSWV) which is the reason for the “T” in T61. During several years of testing, FloRun™ ‘T61’ has proven to resist TSWV and produce high yields when disease pressure from TSWV reduced yield of other varieties. It has a medium seed size with about 650 seeds per pound and just over 40 percent medium kernels on an in-shell basis. The vine growth of FloRun™ ‘T61’ is moderate, allowing good performance in twin rows without excessive vine production.

The maturity of FloRun™ ‘T61’ is in the medium range of 140-145 days after planting under irrigation in Florida.

and high TSMK grade which results in greater dollar value return per acre.

The pod yield of FloRun™ ‘T61’ has been excellent and better than Georgia-06G in tests across several Florida locations. It also performed very well in on-farm demonstration plots in Florida topping the yield in several locations. FloRun™ ‘T61’ has high oleic oil and should be an excellent choice for farmers, shellers and manufacturers who need peanuts with the high oleic trait.

Georgia-09B is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, mediumseeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2009 by the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia.

Georgia-09B has a high level of resistance to spotted wilt disease caused by TSWV. Georgia-09B also has the high-oleic and low-linoleic fatty acid ratio for improved oil quality and longer shelf-life of peanut and peanut products. Georgia-09B originated from the first backcross made with Georgia Green as the recurrent parent.

It has an intermediate runner growth habit and medium maturity, similar to Georgia Green. Georgia-09B has a medium runner seed size. Georgia09B combines the excellent roasted flavor of Georgia Green with the high-oleic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

Georgia-06G is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, large-seeded, runnertype peanut variety that was released in 2006 by the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia. Georgia-06G has a high level of resistance to TSWV. In multilocation tests conducted in Georgia during the past several years, Georgia-06G was found to have among the lowest disease incidence, highest pod yield, highest TSMK grade and highest dollar value return per acre compared to other runnertypes tested each year. Georgia-06G combines high TSWV resistance with medium maturity and excellent yield

Alabama State Variety Test Results 2022 Runner Variety

2023

Headland

Headland

Fairhope

Tallassee

Brewton

Headland

Headland

Fairhope

Tallassee

Irrigated

Dryland

Dryland

Dryland

Irrigated

Irrigated

Dryland

Dryland

Dryland

ACI 3321

4,348

3,333

5,033

6,141

4041

4844

4195

5306

4204

AU-NPL 17

5,573

4,297

5,196

6,930

4960

5384

4748

5588

4592

FloRun™ '52N'

-

-

-

-

3085

4116

3351

5070

4445

FloRun™ ‘331’

3,333

2,733

4,706

6,739

3956

4401

3837

5070

4699

FloRun™ ‘T61’

4182

3508

4586

5144

4362

5416

4811

5272

4153

Georgia-06G

4,182

3,887

4,827

6,679

4158

4733

4056

5013

4626

Georgia-09B

3,553

2,733

5,299

5,579

-

-

-

-

-

Georgia-12Y

4,282

2,951

5,716

6,807

4855

5486

4804

5025

5299

Georgia-14N

3,427

2,654

4,322

5,049

-

-

-

-

-

Georgia-16HO

4,842

3,934

4,915

6,367

4283

4654

4526

4901

4514

Georgia-18RU

4,764

3,950

5,189

5,722

4267

4258

3571

4360

3993

Georgia-20VHO

5,896

4,361

4,904

6,295

4627

4385

3884

5171

4273

Georgia-21GR

-

-

-

-

4415

5398

4416

4935

4243

TifCB 7

-

-

-

-

3889

4876

3915

4664

4359

TifNV-HG

4,490

3,578

5,239

6,001

4078

4290

4526

5137

4432

TifNV-High O/L

4,333

3,593

4,708

6,440

4046

4100

3790

4698

4682

TUFRunner™ ‘297’

5314

3823

4399

6442

-

-

-

-

-

14 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

Georgia-16HO is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, largeseeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2016 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain

Georgia-14N is a high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, and RKNresistant, small-seeded, runner-type

Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia.

Georgia-16HO is similar to other higholeic, runner-type varieties in having the high-oleic and low-linoleic fatty acid profile. However during several years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-16HO had less TSWV and total disease incidence and higher yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to TUFRunner™ ‘511’. Georgia-16HO was also found to have a large runner seed size similar to TUFRunner™ ‘511’, but not as large of seed size as TUFRunner™ ‘297’. Georgia-16HO combines high-yield, TSWV resistance with large runner seed size, and the high-oleic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

Georgia-18RU is a high-yielding, normal-oleic, TSWV-resistant and leaf scorch-resistant, medium-large seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station Continued on page 16

Florida State Variety Test Results 2020

2021

2022

2023

Marianna & Gainesville

Marianna

Marianna, Gainesville & Live Oak

Marianna, Gainesville & Jay

Irrigated

Dryland

Irrigated

Dryland

Irrigated

Dryland

Irrigated

Dryland

AC3321

6636

5154

5964

4968

6765

5134

7792

4431

AU-NPL 17

6267

5078

5641

4995

7374

5099

7718

4723

FloRun™ '52N'

-

-

6195

4987

7362

5591

7992

5471

FloRun™ ‘331’

7041

5746

6761

5552

7909

4689

8334

5911

FloRun™ ‘T61’

6518

5036

6424

5192

7530

5260

7722

5316

Georgia-06G

6247

5470

5624

4263

6995

5455

7686

4991

Georgia-09B

6669

5121

6013

3819

7812

5293

-

-

Georgia-12Y

6875

5547

6534

4947

6503

5888

8498

4769

Georgia-16HO

6764

5278

6395

5039

6993

5404

7395

5203

Georgia-18RU

6969

5175

6594

5307

7750

4004

8178

4894

Georgia-20VHO

-

-

-

-

-

-

7961

5319

TifNV-HG

-

-

-

-

-

-

7905

5024

TifNV-High O/L

6220

5071

5903

4807

6493

4717

7578

5089

TUFRunner™ ‘297’

6574

5497

5989

4789

7028

6474

7892

5513

Runner Variety

Marianna, Marianna, Marianna, Marianna, Gainesville & Gainesville & Live Oak & Jay Live Oak & Jay Live Oak Live Oak

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 15

VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

peanut variety that was released in 2014 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton.

Georgia-14N is similar to other higholeic, runner-type varieties in having high-oleic and low-linoleic fatty acid profiles. However, during threeyears averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-14N had significantly less TSWV and total disease incidence and higher yield, grade and dollar value return per acre compared to Tifguard. Georgia-14N combines high-yield, TSWV resistance and root knot nematode resistance with smaller seed size, and the higholeic trait for longer shelf-life and improved oil quality of peanut and peanut products.

Georgia-12Y is a high-yielding, TSWV-resistant, white-mold resistant, medium-seeded, runner-type peanut variety that was released in 2012 by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia.

Georgia-12Y is similar to another runner-type variety Georgia-10T in having low TSWV disease incidence and total disease incidence. However, during several years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-12Y had significantly higher pod yield and higher dollar value return per acre compared to Georgia10T. Georgia-12Y also has a smaller seed size (greater number of seed per pound) than Georgia-10T. Georgia-12Y should be an excellent variety for an earlier planting (April) option in the Southeast because of its high TSWV and white mold-resistance and later maturity.

VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

Variety Guidebook Continued from page 15

in 2018. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, Georgia.

During five-years averaged over multiple location tests in Georgia, Georgia-18RU had the highest percent TSMK grade and the lowest number of seed per pound compared to the Georgia-06G runner-type variety.

Georgia-18RU was also found to have a similar low percent TSWV and total disease incidence, high yield and dollar value return per acre as Georgia-06G. Georgia-18RU combines high yield, high grade, high dollar value and TSWV and leaf scorch resistance with the desirable normal-oleic trait requested by peanut butter manufacturers. It also has similar roasted flavor, blanchability and maturity as Georgia-06G. Georgia-20VHO is a highyielding, high-grading, TSWVresistant, very high-oleic to linoleic ratio, runner-type peanut variety

that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2021. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. During six-years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-21GR had significantly higher percentage of total sound mature kernel (TSMK) grade compared to Georgia-06G, a widely popular runner variety. It also had similar low TSWV and total disease incidence and comparable high pod yield and dollar values as Georgia06G. Georgia-21GR, as the name implies, has a very high TSMK grade percentage. Georgia-21GR combines high yield, grade and dollar values with TSWV resistance and normal oleic in a medium-large seeded, runner-type peanut variety.

that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2020. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. During five-years and three-years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-20VHO had significantly higher percentage of total sound mature kernel grade compared to Georgia-09B and six other high-oleic runner varieties, respectively. It was also among the lowest in TSWV and total disease incidence and among the highest in pod yield and dollar values compared to the other high-oleic runner varieties in Georgia. Georgia20VHO, as the name implies, has a very high O/L ratio, similar to another VHO virginia-type variety Georgia-11J. Georgia-20VHO combines high yield, grade and dollar values with TSWV resistance and very high O/L ratio for longer shelf-life of peanut and peanut products.

TifNV-HG is a runner-type peanut variety release by the USDAARS and the University of Georgia.

Marker assisted selection was used to select for nematode resistance and the high-oleic to linoleic (O/L) characteristic. TifNV-HG has a

Georgia-21GR is a high-yielding, high-grading, TSWV-resistant, normal oleic, runner-type peanut variety Mississippi State Variety Test Results 2021

Runner Variety

2022

2023

Beaumont

Crystal Springs

Stoneville

Verona

Beaumont

Crystal Springs

Stoneville

6898

8508

7196

7051

3899

6896

3920

3807

FloRun™ '52N'

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

FloRun™ ‘331’

8579

7708

7931

6804

3117

7286

FloRun™ ‘T61’

-

-

-

-

2959

Georgia-06G

7249

7370

8111

6548

Georgia-09B

7336

6810

8385

Georgia-12Y

8058

7590

Georgia-14N

7619

Georgia-16HO

Stoneville

Verona

3697

4607

2907

-

3632

4899

4054

4949

5551

4116

4937

5225

6619

4198

4753

3865

4847

4091

3480

7234

4729

4039

4084

5275

3993

5957

2472

6811

4547

4167

3194

4710

4128

7770

5637

3329

6598

5287

4427

3631

5024

3474

4831

7862

4345

3356

6001

3800

3727

2623

3401

3449

7252

8497

7760

6522

3736

8386

4906

4252

3505

4871

5082

Georgia-18RU

6521

8281

8218

6604

3960

7178

5054

4104

3527

4344

3804

Georgia-20VHO

6830

7130

7707

4278

3451

6602

5213

4750

3703

4949

4444

Georgia-21GR

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3338

4720

4178

TifNV-HG

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

4090

4937

4648

TifNV-High O/L

6944

7846

7022

6355

3094

6200

3865

4287

3638

3950

4674

TUFRunner™ ‘297’

7010

8416

7667

7181

3519

7007

4472

4353

3993

4734

3874

AU-NPL 17

16 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

Verona Raymond

TifNV-High O/L is a high oleic peanut variety developed and released by USDA-Agricultural Research Service peanut breeder Corley Holbrook. It’s a high oleic version of the nematode resistant Tifguard that Holbrook released several years ago. The variety offers high yields, nematode resistance,

a high concentration of oleic acid, resistance to spotted wilt virus, moderate resistance to leaf spot and medium maturity. TifNV-High O/L resulted from a cross between Tifguard and the Florida-07 varieties.

Holbrook worked with University of Georgia researchers Peggy OziasAkins and Ye Chu in using molecular markers for nematode resistance and the high O/L trait. Using the molecular markers, they were able to greatly speed up the process of developing the new variety.

TUFRunner™ ‘297’ is a high yielding, extra-large seeded, medium maturity runner-type peanut with high oleic oil chemistry developed by the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, Florida. It was released in 2014. TUFRunner™ ‘297’ has demonstrated very good resistance to white mold, good resistance to TSWV and is susceptible to leaf spots. Yield and grade of TUFRunner™ ‘297’ have been excellent. It has a prominent

center stem with a semi prostrate growth habit.

Virginia Type TifJumbo is a virginia-type peanut variety release by the USDAARS and the University of Georgia.

Marker assisted selection was used to select for nematode resistance and the high-oleic to linoleic (O/L) characteristic. TifJumbo has a high level of resistance to both the peanut root-knot nematode and TSWV and has a high ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid. When tested in fields without nematode pressure TifJumbo exhibited yields that were at least similar to other currently grown peanut varieties. When tested in fields with nematode pressure, TifJumbo exhibited significantly higher yields in comparison to other viriginia-type peanut varieties. Commercial seed will be limited in 2024. 

Georgia State Variety Test Results 2021 Runner Variety

2022

Average of Tifton, Midville and Plains

Tifton

2023

Midville

Plains

Tifton

Midville

Plains

Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland Irrigated Dryland AU-NPL 17

5339

4918

5381

5865

6656

7100

3197

2860

4499

3818

6031

6016

4542

3107

FloRun™ '52N'

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5059

4262

5969

5987

4827

3269

FloRun™ ‘331’

5716

5007

5034

5777

6754

5592

2852

2928

4781

3713

6402

6723

4976

3150

FloRun™ ‘T61’

-

-

5386

5907

6031

6106

2938

3144

4887

4367

6126

6197

4165

3132

Georgia-06G

6175

4787

6343

5601

7173

5144

3236

2990

4862

4207

5986

5893

4115

2919

Georgia-09B

5525

4620

5138

5123

6513

5297

2572

2284

5226

4000

6086

6723

3983

3163

Georgia-12Y

5809

5455

5775

6053

7502

6830

3465

3501

5600

4870

6173

6793

4838

4210

Georgia-14N

5251

4860

4500

5182

6389

5004

2593

2911

4472

3854

5181

6390

5005

4404

Georgia-16HO

5292

4804

6022

5717

6855

6168

2892

2975

5287

4638

5834

6389

3742

2770

Georgia-18RU

5769

4907

5953

5831

7239

6604

3171

3324

4697

4637

6144

6430

4474

3578

Georgia-20VHO

5357

4642

5848

6227

5775

5996

2802

2916

5417

4724

6360

6086

4004

2982

Georgia-21GR

5735

5397

5064

6223

7418

6598

3477

3533

5588

5634

6609

5740

4321

4060

Georgia-22MPR

4493

4986

5990

5890

7298

6033

3336

3338

4946

4637

5904

6686

4706

4222

TifJumbo

5645

5031

5924

5819

6742

6523

2547

3040

5268

4384

6472

7397

4478

2906

TifNV-HG

4050

4485

5679

5638

7210

6561

3027

3055

5404

4681

6741

6765

4741

3119

TifNV-High O/L

3770

4178

5016

5809

5813

5666

2455

2799

5060

4058

5524

6168

4379

2639

-

-

5469

6477

6758

7161

3292

3530

5343

4756

5441

6538

4273

2788

3668

4351

5576

5674

6365

6377

3092

2938

5090

4398

6601

6947

4680

3238

TifCB 7 TUFRunner™ ‘297’

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 17

VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

high level of resistance to both the peanut root-knot nematode and TSWV and has a high ratio of oleic acid to linoleic acid. When tested in fields without nematode pressure TifNV-HG exhibited yields that were at least similar to other currently grown peanut varieties. When tested in fields with nematode pressure, TifNV-HG exhibited yield that was at least equivalent to the nematode resistant varieties, TifNV-High O/L and Georgia 14N, and significantly higher than susceptible varieties. TifNV-HG exhibited higher grade in comparison the TifNV-High O/L. Demand is expected to exceed supply in 2024.

VARIETY GUIDEBOOK

T

New peanut varieties

here are three new peanut varieties released for growers. However, there will be limited seed available for each variety. The varieties were developed through the breeding programs at the University of Georgia, University of Florida and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Tifton, Georgia.

FloRun™ '52N'

FloRun™ ‘52N’ is a new medium maturity runner type with small vines, high-yield, high grade, and normal oleic oil chemistry that was released from the University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center in 2023.

The seed size of FloRun™ ‘52N’ is in the medium range with about 710 seeds per pound from the SMK (sound mature kernels). FloRun™ ‘52N’ has had TSMK grade, in the mid to upper 70’s, in on-farm demonstrations and in Foundation and Registered seed production resulting high value returns in production settings.

The yield of FloRun™ ‘52N’ was among the highest in Florida irrigated and non-irrigated tests over a three-year period in several locations. FloRun™ ‘52N’ has smaller than average vines making it a good fit for twin-row production and situations where vine production of other varieties is excessive. It has performed well in tests for tolerance to leaf spot, white mold and TSWV and has a sound overall disease package that will respond well to standard disease management recommendations for peanut as outlined in the Peanut Rx. In summary, FloRun™ ‘52N’ combines normal oleic oil chemistry with smaller vines, high yield, and high TSMK grade to meet the needs of peanut growers, shellers and manufacturers.

Georgia-22MPR is a new high-yielding, high-oleic, TSWV-resistant, Rootknot nematode resistant and leafhopper-resistant, runner-type peanut variety that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2022. It was developed at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, Georgia. During four-years averaged over multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia-22MPR had significantly higher yield and dollar value compared to Georgia-14N and TifNV-High O/L runner varieties. Georgia-22MPR as the name implies has multiple pest resistance. Georgia-22MPR combines high yield and dollar values with virus, nematode and insect resistance in a high-oleic, mediumlarge seeded, runner-type peanut variety.

Georgia-22MPR

TifCB 7 is a new high-yielding, high-grading, variety that was released by the USDA-ARS and the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station in 2023. TifCB 7 is a high oleic acid, runner market-type cultivar that also has high resistance to late leaf spot and TSWV. It is a medium maturity class peanut, with about 140 days needed for optimal maturity. TifCB 7 has an extremely high level of resistance to late leaf spot which should greatly reduce the need for fungicide sprays. When evaluated under full fungicide spray regimes, TifCB 7 yielded at least equivalent to other common peanut cultivars. TifCB 7 had higher yields than common cultivars when tested with no fungicide control for leaf spot. Growing TifCB 7 with reduced fungicide sprays can be used to maximize on farm profitability. Seed supply for TifCB 7 will be limited in 2024.

TifCB 7

18 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 19

Farm to Table Peanut Harvest Tour

By Kaycee Rippey

Joel Sirmon, peanut farmer from Baldwin County, Ala., and Alabama Peanut Producers Association board member, demonstrates how a peanut inverter works to dig peanuts out of the ground before harvest to attendees at the 2023 Alabama Farm to Table Peanut Harvest Tour.

A

group of Alabama culinary educators and a food blogger became students this past fall as they joined the Alabama Peanut Producers Association for the 2023 Alabama Farm to Table Peanut Harvest Tour on Sept. 24-26, 2023. The 3-day immersive experience included building personal relationships with peanut farmers, learning about technology and research, and hearing from industry professionals.

The tour began in Baldwin County with a welcome dinner at The Hope Farm where the group had an opportunity to network and socialize.

Executive Chef Adam Stephens prepared the meal, complete with personal-sized peanut butter pies.

Following dinner, participants were able to see different foods grown hydroponically at The Hope Farm, highlighting new and exciting innovation in farming.

The first leg of the tour began at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope, Alabama. Researchers shared their insight into ongoing peanut variety trials, issues that peanut farmers face, and how to tell if a peanut is ready to harvest.

"I was really impressed with how much preparation goes into farming before it ever hits the ground," says Kimberly Cruz, culinary arts teacher at McAdory High School.

Many were also shocked that peanut variety trials can take up to 10 years before the farmer is able to sow the seeds of a new variety.

After the visit to the Extension Center, the group traveled to Sirmon Farms in Daphne, Alabama. Joel Sirmon, an APPA board member, led the tour on his five-generation family farm, showing the beginning stages of

20 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

peanut harvest with peanut inverters in the field. Sirmon Farms also grows sweet potatoes, and attendees toured their sweet potato packing house.

Crop diversity is a key component in successful farming.

"This was a great group, and I really appreciated them being receptive and asking questions," remarked Joel Sirmon.

During lunch on Monday, Markita Lewis, a registered dietitian with the National Peanut Board, gave a presentation on peanut nutrition, allergies, and health benefits.

Attendees were able to ask questions regarding issues around the early introduction of peanuts and the banning of peanuts in schools. Lewis reiterated the importance of peanuts as a healthy source of protein, fiber, and over 30 essential vitamins and minerals.

Auburn University peanut agronomist Kris Balkcom shows the tour attendees a peanut peg while explaining parts of the plant.

The tour picked back up in Mobile County, Alabama, at Reeves West Bay Peanut Buying Point. The group was led through the facility, demonstrating how peanuts are processed once they leave the farm. Afterward, the tour joined Darrin Driskell, an APPA board member, at his family’s farm in Grand Bay, Alabama. Driskell Farms grows a wide variety of commodities, including peanuts, sod, cattle, and cotton. While visiting, the group watched peanut combines gather peanuts and get loaded for transport to the buying point.

Tabor Edgecomb-Echols, culinary instructor at Limestone County Career Tech Center, enjoyed her time with the Driskells.

"The Driskell family was just so welcoming, and that made it a great experience. It really gives you a new perspective on farming," she says.

The trip ended with a tour of Coastal Growers, LLC, in Atmore, Alabama. The group observed the peanut shelling process at the plant owned by local farm families. The tour stop highlighted the technology and innovation required in the peanut industry.

Darrell Echols, culinary arts educator at Decatur City Schools Career Academy, was also surprised by the measures it takes to turn farm fresh peanuts into peanut butter on your table.

"There is a greater appreciation for peanuts now that we know the process and how much work goes into it," Echols adds.

Following the tour, food blogger Brooke Burks, creator of The Buttered Home food blog, created a new

The Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center welcomed the group of culinary connoisseurs during the 2023 Alabama Farm to Table Peanut Harvest Tour.

Peanut Crusted Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce

By Brooke Burks, The Buttered Home

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts 1 cup lightly roasted peanuts, ground or chopped small 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons oil 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Oil 2 teaspoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons water

Directions Preheat oven to 350. Carefully grind or chop peanuts to the size of breadcrumbs. Place in a shallow dish and set aside.

Season chicken breasts with garlic, onion and cayenne powder on both sides. Melt butter and oil in a skillet over medium heat. Coat chicken with peanuts and sear in the skillet for 3 to 5 minutes per side.

Place seared chicken in a baking dish and cover with remainder of chopped peanuts. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes for thick breasts or 15 minutes for thin. Until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

While the chicken is cooking, mix peanut butter, sesame oil, hot sauce and honey. The mixture will be kind of thick. Use the water, one teaspoon at a time to thin to your desired consistency.

Serve the sauce drizzled over the chicken or on the side to dip! Enjoy!

peanut recipe to share with her followers. Burks has set out to make home cooking easy with her new recipe, Peanut Crusted Chicken with Sweet and Spicy Peanut Butter Sauce.

On her website, she shares recipes and cooking techniques that have been passed down for generations.

Brooke believes food can build a bridge to meaningful relationships with other people. 

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 21

USDA irrigation and Water Management Survey

T

he USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service mailed survey codes to a selected sample of irrigators across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey.

The survey is a special study to the 2022 Census of Agriculture and provides the only comprehensive dataset of irrigation activities and water use across American farms, ranches, and horticultural operations.

Producer input through this survey will aid USDA's efforts to promote efficient irrigation practices and longterm sustainability of water resources across the United States.

The survey will be mailed in phases, with paper questionnaires following in January. Producers need only to respond once, whether securely online or by mail. The online option offers timesaving features ideal for busy producers. All responses are due Feb. 15, 2024.

"Water is arguably the most important resource for agriculture and horticulture operations," says NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer.

"This survey is an opportunity to provide data that will influence policy decisions that have a tremendous impact on the industry for years to come."

Responding is more convenient than ever due to the USDA NASS Online Respondent Portal at

T

The 2023 Irrigation and Water Managment Survey is due Feb. 15, 2024. Farmers can complete the survey online at www.agcounts.usda.gov.

www.agcounts.usda.gov where producers can view and complete NASS surveys, view historical reports, and access other resources.

"I strongly encourage all farmers, no matter how large or small their operation, to promptly complete and return their questionnaire. This is your opportunity to share your voice, uplift the value and showcase the uniqueness of American agriculture," says Administrator Hamer.

Responding to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey is required by law under Title 7 USC 2204(g) Public Law 105-113. The

same law requires NASS to keep all information confidential, to use the data for statistical purposes only, and to publish in aggregate form to prevent disclosing the identity of any individual producer or farm operation.

NASS will release the data on Nov. 14, 2024, at www.nass.usda.gov.

To learn more, visit nass.usda.gov/ AgCensus. On the website, producers and other data users can access frequently asked questions, past ag census data, other special study information, and more. For highlights of these and the latest information, follow NASS on X @usda_nass. 

Spray Drone End User Conference Set for February

he most comprehensive enduser focused spraying event in North America is back for 2024.

The second annual event will be held Feb. 26-29, 2024, at The Lodge at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Sessions include technical field demonstrations of latest spray drone models and live swath testing; regulatory updates from FAA, EPA, state Department of Ag, chemical registrants/Crop Life America and

global spray drone task force.

experienced operators in the U.S.

The conference includes presentations from researchers, equipment manufacturers and experienced drone operators along with a panel discussion and Q&A focusing on regulatory compliance, business operation, fleet management, liability, marketing and multiple aspects of spray drone field operation with government agency representatives, industry experts and

The registration fee is $350 for in-person and $200 for remote (access to presentations only). In-person attendance is limited to 300 people due to hotel capacity. After Jan. 31, 2024, registration fee will increase to $450 in person and $250 remote.

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For additional information contact Steve Li, Auburn University at steveli@ auburn.edu. 

Georgia Research Report Day Set for Feb. 7

T

he Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 7, 2024, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus at 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available on peanut research projects funded by GPC in 2023.

FSA Direct Loan Online Application launches

T

he U.S. Department of Agriculture recently launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. The tool is part of a broader effort by USDA's Farm Service Agency to streamline its processes, improve customer service and expand credit access.

The online farm loan application offers producers an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build a farm operation plan.

The online farm loan application replicates the support an applicant would receive when completing a loan application in person with an FSA Farm Loan Officer. Through a personalized dashboard, borrowers can track the progress of their loan application. It can be accessed on farmers.gov or by completing FSA’s Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov/ loan-assistance-tool.

To learn more about FSA programs and resources, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. 

"The commission works to wisely invest peanut farmers' dollars into research projects across Georgia in an effort to reduce production input costs and improve agronomic techniques," says Donald Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman.

"Although some of the findings are preliminary, the projects are exciting, and many times new recommendations or observations are announced."

GPC awarded $706,139 to peanut research facilities in the state during 2023. This effort funds 35

research projects from the University of Georgia, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management.

The agenda for the GPC Research Report Day is available online at www. gapeanuts.com. All research reports will be available online following the GPC Research Report Day. 

USDA to Begin Issuing Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program Payments

T

he U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that it will begin issuing more than $223 million in Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program or PARP payments. These payments help producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020 calendar year.

Eligible PARP applicants must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15% or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to a baseline year. PARP benefits help address gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access, rather than overall revenue losses. PARP was designed to help deliver financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including underserved communities, small and medium sized producers, and farmers and producers of livestock and less traditional crops.

“USDA realizes the importance of PARP payments, especially since they are benefitting producers who may not have received assistance through other USDA pandemic assistance programs,” says Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “PARP implementation marks the delivery of the final program in the suite of pandemic assistance programs provided

by FSA and is also one of the first times that FSA has delivered a program focused on decreases in revenue. The number of applications we received for PARP assistance shows there is producer need for and interest in programs that consider other indicators of disaster impacts on their business, like decreases in revenue.”

The PARP application period closed July 14, 2023. More than 38,500 PARP applications triggered payments totaling nearly $7 billion, meaning PARP program participation exceeds available funding. Therefore, consistent with PARP regulations, to ensure equitable funding distribution to all eligible producers, a 9.5% payment factor has been applied to all payments. These PARP payments are in addition to the $31.9 billion in pandemic assistance that USDA has already provided to eligible producers through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1 and 2 as well as the FSA programs in the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

For more information, farmers should contact their local USDA center.  Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 23

National Peanut Board Officers elected

T

Board Nomination Meetings Set for Georgia, South Carolina and Texas

he National Peanut Board held its last meeting of 2023, Dec. 6–7, in Washington, D.C. The Board approved a new slate of officers for a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

Grower and Industry Communications, Evaluation and Measurement, and Budget and Finance. The next board meeting is planned for in-person attendance Jan. 30-31, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Greg Baltz, a peanut farmer from Pocahontas, Arkansas, was elected chairman of the National Peanut Board during the quarterly meeting. Last year, Baltz served as vice chairman.

Paul Rogers of Wakefield, Virginia, is the immediate past chairman.

Georgia, South Carolina and Texas seeks NPB board nominees The Georgia Peanut Commission, South Carolina Peanut Board and Texas Peanut Producers Board are seeking eligible peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board. All organizations will select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board.

Also, the National Peanut Board elected Casey Cox Kerr of Camilla, Georgia, as vice chairman; Neal Baxley of Mullins, South Carolina, as treasurer; and Jeff Roper of Lubbock, Texas as secretary.

Committee meetings were also held including Domestic Promotions, Export and International Trade,

The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold a nominations election during a meeting on Feb. 7, 2024, at noon during the GPC Research Report Day at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory

(NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton Campus.

The South Carolina Peanut Board will hold a nominations election on March 13, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the Buddy Jennings Building at the State Farmers Market in West Columbia.

The Texas Peanut Board will hold a nominations election on March 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hilton Southlake Towne Square in Dallas.

USDA requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture makes the final appointments. 

Peanut Buying Points Winter Conference set for February The National Peanut Buying Points Winter Conference is set for Feb. 16-19, 2024, at The DeSoto, Savannah, Georgia.

The 2024 conference theme is “New Technology in the Peanut World." All buying points, shellers and industry associates are invited to attend.

The program will kick off on Friday night with a President's Welcome Reception. Educational sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday mornings. There will be a Prayer Breakfast on Sunday morning. The Great Cash Giveaway Reception and Auction will be held Sunday evening.

Registration is available on the NPBPA website at peanutbuyingpoints.org. For more information or to obtain a registration form, email Angela Elder at spearmanagency@friendlycity.net. 

24 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

47th Annual Membership Meeting February 29, 2024 Jackson County Agricultural Complex & Conference Center 2741 Penn. Ave., Marianna, Florida Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. (CST) Dinner at 6:30 p.m. (CST)

For More Information: Phone: 850-526-2590 www.FLpeanuts.com

Mpga annual meeting set for Feb. 15, 2024 The Mississippi Peanut Growers Association plan to hold their 19th annual meeting and trade show Feb. 15, 2024, at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The event provides growers with the latest information on peanut production, research and new products.

Growers will have the opportunity to visit with several exhibitors showcasing equipment and services for the peanut industry. Speakers during the annual meeting will provide an update on peanut varieties, agronomic practices, peanut market outlook for 2024, weed and insect research in Mississippi peanuts.

Growers will also hear reports on checkoff activities of MPGA and the National Peanut Board.

For more information visit www. misspeanuts.com. 

Feb. 15, 2024 Lake Terrace Convention Center 1 Convention Center Plaza Hattiesburg, Mississippi 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For More Information, contact:

Malcolm Broome, Executive Director Mississippi Peanut Growers Association (601) 606-3547 or malcolm@misspeanuts.com www.misspeanuts.com

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 25

Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show

by SEPF Staff

The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is set for Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, located on Hwy. 231 South in Dothan, Alabama.

Peanut growers who attend will not only be able to fine tune their farming operations, but will have a chance to win prizes valued at thousands of dollars. The Grand Door Prize, sponsored by Kelley Manufacturing Co., is a $5,000 voucher for any one piece of KMC equipment or parts for KMC equipment.

Sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the one-day event offers farmers a full day to view the industry products and services of more than 60 exhibitors.

The trade show opens at 8:30 a.m. and will continue until noon with a lunch immediately following.

Auburn University Extension weed science specialist Steve Li (left), discusses spray drones with attendees at the 2023 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show. The 2024 is set for Feb. 1.

During the catered lunch, the program will include speakers with updates on legislative issues from Bob

Redding with The Redding Firm and a promotion update from the National Peanut Board.

February 1, 2024 National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Dothan, Alabama

Registration/Trade Show 8:30 a.m.

Door Prizes Catered Lunch More than 60 exhibitors For more information contact: Alabama Peanut Producers Assn.

Ph. 334-792-6482 www.alpeanuts.com

Florida Peanut Producers Assn.

Ph. 850-526-2590 www.flpeanuts.com

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All peanut growers are invited and encouraged to attend. For more information on the show, contact APPA at 334-792-6482 or FPPA at 850-526-2277. For exhibit space availability, contact Kaye Lynn Hataway at klhataway@alpeanuts.com. 

2024 Alabama Peanut Production Meetings Monday, Feb. 12, 2024

11:00 a.m. - Cullman County 6:00 p.m. - Lee County

Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 11:00 a.m. - Dallas County

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2024

11:00 a.m. - Geneva County 6:00 p.m. - Henry County

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 11:00 a.m. - Mobile County 6:00 p.m. - Baldwin County

Friday, Feb. 23, 2024

11:00 a.m. - Escambia County

For more information contact: APPA at 334-792-6482 or www.alpeanuts.com

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 27

Washington Outlook

By Robert L. Redding Jr.

U.S. Congress passes stop-gap funding bill: includes farm bill extension The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate voted to approve a short-term funding bill, avoiding a November 17 government shutdown.

The funding legislation, which was proposed by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana., funds the government by setting up two deadlines. The first Jan. 19, 2024, deadline covers agencies under four appropriations bills: AgricultureFDA, Energy and Water, Military Construction-VA, and TransportationHUD. The other eight appropriations bills are extended to a Feb. 2, 2024, deadline.

In addition to extending funding and setting up deadlines for appropriations, the legislation

includes a 1-year extension of Farm Bill programs at the same levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. The legislation also includes funding for a number of "orphan programs" which are small-ticket programs that had expired funding at the end of Fiscal Year 2023.

Although this legislation extends the Farm Bill through September 30, 2024, lawmakers are hopeful that the 2023 Farm Bill will be passed ahead of that deadline. U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Ranking Member John Boozman, R-Arkansas, released the following statement alongside U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson,

USDA Economic Research Service reports farm sector income forecasted to decline The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service recently released the annual Farm Sector Income Forecast. According to the report, inflation-adjusted net farm sector income is forecast to fall in 2023 compared to 2022. ERS forecasts inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income (NCFI) to decrease by $49.2 billion (23.8 percent) from 2022 to $157.9 billion in 2023.

In a statement on the report, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says: "Today's farm income forecast for 2023 shows that, while net farm income is expected to drop below the 2022 record high, it is still one of the best years on record for the overall farm sector at $151.1 billion. In fact, net cash farm income for 2023 is 15 percent above average for the last two decades, and farm income over the 2021-2023 period represents the

highest level of farm income in the last 50 years. U.S. agriculture exports have also seen the three highest years on record in 2021-2023, which is reflected in overall cash receipts, while 2024 is projected to be the fourth highest year on record despite potential declines.

Even so, the data shows a majority of farm households rely on off-farm jobs to make ends meet, indicating that the income is not evenly distributed across the farm spectrum.

USDA will continue our efforts to bolster a complementary system that makes it possible for small- and midsized farms to benefit from more, new and better markets and climate smart agriculture opportunities so they can thrive. The change in net farm income this year is reflective of overall lower prices for farmers, higher production costs and higher interest rates, and declining government payments since their 2020 record levels."

28 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

R-Pennsylvania, and Ranking Member David Scott, D-Georgia: "As negotiations on funding the government progress, we were able to come together to avoid a lapse in funding for critical agricultural programs and provide certainty to producers. This extension is in no way a substitute for passing a 5-year Farm Bill and we remain committed to working together to get it done next year."

The funding bill passed 336-95 in the U.S. House of Representatives and 87-11 in the U.S. Senate.

President Biden signed the bill in midNovember.

Agricultural groups appeal for changes to 2022 disaster aid On Dec. 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 that provides about $3.7 billion in financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by eligible natural disasters that occurred in calendar year 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released the process for producers to begin accessing these disaster funds.

ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes and vines due to qualifying, calendar year 2022 natural disaster events including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought and related conditions.

One hundred forty-one agricultural groups, including the U.S. Peanut Federation, signed on to a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack opposing the current 2022 Emergency Relief Program.

USDA Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service reports agricultural trade deficit increasing The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service recently released an "Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade" report.

According to the report, the U.S. is expected to import a record $200 billion worth of farm goods in fiscal year 2024 and are expected to export $169.5 billion, leaving a projected farm trade deficit of $30.5 billion. This estimate has increased since August when USDA projected a $27.5 billion deficit. Additionally, this projected figure is nearly double the $16.7 billion farm trade deficit in fiscal year 2023.

The United States traditionally runs an agriculture trade sector surplus but has been in a deficit since 2021. On November 29, 2023, the President’s Export Council approved the following recommendations to expand U.S. agricultural exports: • Increase Collaboration on Diversifying the U.S. Agricultural Supply Chain • Establish Robust Agricultural

Trade Agenda • Enforce Existing Trade Agreements • Lead on International Sustainability and Climate Efforts As part of the Department’s efforts to bolster U.S. agricultural trade, the following planned trade missions were announced for 2024: • Seoul, Korea – Week of March 25, 2024 • New Delhi, India – Week of April 22, 2024 • Vancouver, Canada – Week of June 17, 2024 • Bogota, Colombia – Week of July 29, 2024 • Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (with buyers from Thailand) – Week of September 9, 2024 • Casablanca, Morocco (with buyers from Senegal and Francophone West Africa) – Week of December 2, 2024

USDA opens applications for Regional Agricultural Promotion Program In October, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will use $1.3 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to establish the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to bolster and diversify U.S. agricultural export opportunities and enable American exporters to enter new markets and expand market share in current and growth markets.

On November 29, applications opened for the first tranche of up to $300 in funding for RAPP. RAPP funds are available to non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, non-profit State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies that conduct approved market development activities to foster expanded exports and market diversification by encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of diverse commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. Applications are due by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 2, 2024.

In his comments at the President’s Export Council, Secretary Vilsack stated, "It takes significant investment to open and develop new export markets and this new fund will be dedicated to helping provide that start-up capital so that American exporters can diversify their markets and create new opportunities.

There are many regions of the world – in South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa – where the middle class is growing and the desire for high quality products is increasing. In order to capture those markets from our competitors we need to have a presence, address barriers, and showcase America’s high-quality, agricultural products across the world."

Farmers can enroll for 2024 ARC and PLC programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can now enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.

On Nov. 16, 2023, President Biden signed into law H.R. 6363, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-22), which extended the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334), more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, through September 30, 2024.

This extension allows authorized programs, including ARC and PLC, to continue operating.

"Having the Farm Bill extension in place means business as usual for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage program implementation for the 2024 crop year— nothing has changed from previous years," says FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. "These programs provide critical financial protections against commodity market volatilities for many American farmers so don't delay enrollment.

Avoid the rush and contact your local FSA office for an appointment because even if you are not changing your program election for 2024, you still need to sign a contract to enroll."

If producers do not submit their election revision by the March 15, 2024, deadline, their election remains the same as their 2023 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the cropland.

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit the ARC and PLC webpage or contact their local USDA Service Center.

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 29

1025 Sugar Pike Way · Canton, Georgia 30115 |(770) 751-6615 | lpwagner@comcast.net

Chef's Peanut Immersion Tour Southern Peanut Growers hosted nine chefs from three states on a tour of the peanut industry Oct. 8-10, 2023.

The tour itinerary showcased every aspect of the industry from research through manufacturing. The Peanut Institute and the American Peanut Shellers Association were instrumental in tour planning.

Chefs had the opportunity to see the USDA wild peanut species collection and tour the seed storage bank as Shaym Tallury explained the importance of this work to peanuts and to agriculture in general. Donald Chase, farmer from Oglethorpe, Ga. and Georgia Peanut Commission board member, shared the results of some of this work on the farm as he showed the chefs a new peanut variety

he is growing this year.

At Buffalo Peanut Company, the group saw how peanuts come in from the farm and are sampled and graded.

After a special President Jimmy Carter tour and lunch in Plains, the group headed to Olam Peanut Shelling Plant in Smithville, Georgia, for a comprehensive tour of the shelling and storage process.

The chefs were very impressed with the tour of MANA in Fitzgerald, Georgia, and their work to feed starving children. The fact that the nutritional value and general acceptability of peanuts makes them a natural base for a ready-to-use therapeutic food and the fact that the peanut industry is so heavily invested in humanitarian work seriously

High School Culinary Peanut Pilot Program

Mississippi high school students learn more about peanuts from chefs through a culinary peanut pilot program.

Southern Peanut Growers worked with Feast Global to pilot a peanut culinary program for high school students on Nov. 14, 2023, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. More than 20 students participated in the program which featured peanut recipes and demonstrations from local chefs, Jason Carlisle and Ryan Spoon. Chef Andy Chapman led a classroom presentation focusing on peanut production, nutrition, sustainability, allergies, ingredient selection and an interactive tasting panel.

The peanut program was also featured on the school television broadcast, in a parent newsletter, and in the yearbook for a total reach of 1,800+ students, 100+ faculty members, and an estimated 3,000 parents.

The program was well-received with high levels of engagement from student and administrators: 100 percent of participating students said they believe peanuts and peanut butter are good for you as a result of the activity; 88 percent said they would like to see peanuts and peanut butter incorporated into school cafeteria meals and/or in their own lunchboxes; and 100 percent said they learned at least two new ways to use peanuts and peanut butter during the activity. A second program will take place in January in the metro-Atlanta area.

30 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024

Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Ga., discusses how peanuts grow during the Southern Peanut Growers Chef Tour.

elevated the peanut and the peanut industry in the minds of the chefs.

The tour wrapped up with a visit to the University of Georgia’s Food Product Innovation Commercialization Center where Jim Gratzek amazed them with his excitement and passion for solving food development issues.

Frozen PB Power Bites

Ingredients

Ripe Banana Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers Parchment Paper

Directions Peel and slice bananas. Top each slice with peanut butter.

Dip in melted dark chocolate, draining excess chocolate as the bite rests on the tines of a fork. Cool completely on waxed or parchment paper.

Freeze in an airtight container until ready to eat.

Jan./Feb. 2024 | Southeastern Peanut Farmer 31

Southern Peanut Growers Conference WESTIN SAVANNAH HARBOR GOLF RESORT & SPA July 17-19, 2024 - Savannah, Georgia

al

u n n A h t 25 Event!

Key topics: Legislation, Research and Promotion For more information contact: Alabama Peanut Producers Association P.O. Box 8805 Dothan, AL 36304 334-792-6482 Florida Peanut Producers Association 2741 Penn Avenue, Suite 1 Marianna, FL 32448 850-526-2590 Georgia Peanut Commission P.O. Box 967 Tifton, GA 31793 229-386-3470 Mississippi Peanut Growers Association P.O. Box 284 Petal, MS 39465 601-606-3547

Registration opens April 1, 2024. www.southernpeanutfarmers.org

32 Southeastern Peanut Farmer | Jan./Feb. 2024