Ag News
Peanut Show honors farmers, supporters, provides updates
Posted on Jan 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
All things related to Georgia peanuts were highlighted at the 48th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference Jan. 16 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) sponsors the one-day event each year. Peanut growers had the opportunity to view products and services of about 90 exhibitors. The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational seminar covering production issues including the 2024 peanut crop’s yield and quality, tropical spiderwort, leafspot disease, and Southern corn rootworm management. Peanut researchers from the Universities of Georgia, Auburn and Florida, along with researchers from USDA and the National Peanut Research Laboratory discussed the pros and cons of various peanut varieties their programs have developed.
Peanut farmers & industry supporters honored
The day kicked off with a breakfast during which the GPC and AgriSupply presented the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts. The GPC started this award to honor farmers who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continue to be the highest quality. A grower from each of the GPC Districts is selected each year. The 2025 recipients are: GPC District 1 - Martine Phillips of Miller County; District 2 – Billy Senkbeil of Worth County; GPC District 3 – Daniel Johnson of Pierce County; GPC District 4 – Wayne Peavy of Dooly County and GPC District 5 – Sauls Partnership of Randolph County. These farmers received a sign to display at their farm and gift cards from Agri Supply and the Georgia Peanut Commission.
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) & Agri Supply recognized five peanut growers as Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year. The GPC started this award to honor farmers who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see Georgia’s peanut industry continue to be the highest quality. A grower from each of the GPC Districts is selected each year. The 2025 recipients are: GPC District 1 - Martine Phillips of Miller County; District 2 – Billy Senkbeil of Worth County; GPC District 3 – Daniel Johnson of Pierce County; GPC District 4 – Wayne Peavy of Dooly County and GPC District 5 – Sauls Partnership of Randolph County. Pictured from left, GPC Committee Chairman & Dist. 3 Director Joe Boddiford congratulates Martine Phillips, Billy Senkbeil, Daniel Johnson, Wayne Peavy, and representing Sauls Partnership – Frankie Sauls (for her late husband, Billy), Jack Sauls & Jason Sauls. / Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
During the Peanut Farm Show lunch, the Georgia Peanut Commission presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts. Award recipients were: Distinguished Service Award – T.E. Moye, Jr., president of Georgia Federal State Inspection Service; Research & Education Award – Tim Brenneman, University of Georgia professor and plant pathologist; and the Media Award – Jim Wallace, retired news anchor for WALB TV.
The Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF presented the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer of the Year Award to Ryan Ireland of Turner County. The award is presented to one Georgia peanut farmer, 45 years or younger, based on the applicant’s overall farm operation, environmental and stewardship practices, leadership and community service activities. Ireland grows peanuts, cotton, corn, wheat, hay and cattle. He strives to incorporate new and innovative ways to increase yields and be a natural steward of the land. Ireland chooses to focus on water retention, disease control and overall soil quality.
From left, GPC Chairman Joe Boddiford congratulates the award recipients: Research & Education Award – Dr. Tim Brenneman, UGA professor of peanut disease management; Distinguished Service Award – T.E. Moye Jr., president of the Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, who has led the FSIS since August 2011 and previously worked for Georgia Farm Bureau; Media Award – WALB Anchor Karla Heath-Sands accepting for Jim Wallace, retired WALB-TV anchor; & Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award recipient Ryan Ireland of Turner County. /Photo by Jennifer Whittaker
Washington, D.C. Update
Bob Redding with the Redding Firm that represents the U.S. Peanut Federation in D.C., gave an update on Washington happenings. Redding discussed the American Relief Act of 2025, which Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. This legislation, which extends the 2018 farm bill until Sept. 30, included $21 billion in disaster aid for agriculture losses nationwide caused by natural disasters in 2023 & 2024, and included $10 billion in economic aid to help farmers recover from low commodity prices and high production costs.
“It’s important for Georgia that the ag disaster funds are to be distributed via block grant programs administered by state departments of agriculture as the Hurricane Michael relief money was,” Redding said. “With the ag economic relief, farmers can expect payments of $76.30 an acre for peanuts and almost $85 an acre for cotton. It may be about half the amount of money we needed, but we did work hard for this, and it was tough to get this money.”
Redding said the House Agriculture Committee is expected to move a new farm bill sometime in the first quarter of this year and the Senate Agriculture Committee will issue their bill after that.
“We hope to see action taken on the farm bill in the first or second quarter so we can get a new farm bill passed in 2025,” Redding said.
Koehler announces 2026 retirement & search for his replacement
Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) Executive Director Don Koehler announced his plans to retire on Aug. 1, 2026, at which time he will have served 40 years in his position.
“I love each and every Georgia peanut farmer. You have been my life for 38 and a half years. It’s been a blessing to be here working for you,” Koehler said. “I think it’s my obligation to help facilitate a smooth transition.”
Koehler said the GPC has put together a job description and is beginning the search for his replacement.
“We are looking for someone with a huge passion for agriculture, specifically peanuts,” GPC Chairman Joe Boddiford said. “The Georgia Peanut Commission needs someone with great leadership qualities, exceptional communication talents and a strong advocate for Georgia’s peanut farmers.”
Ideal candidates will be energetic leaders with experience in agriculture. This position operates in a high-pressure environment and requires a great deal of commitment of time on the part of the individual. It is also a very diverse position which requires an individual with broad vision to truly lead. It requires a combination of depth and vision, people skills, management ability, and dedication to the purpose of the Commission.
For more details about the position and job description, please visit the Georgia Peanut Commission’s website at gapeanuts.com/executivedirector.
National Peanut Board Update
Dena Malsom, National Peanut Board vice president of marketing & communications & chief marketing officer, gave an update on the work NPB is doing on behalf of U.S. peanut growers.
“Since 2001, the National Peanut Board has invested over $48 million in peanut research to make sure the quality of peanuts is something we enjoy eating every day and to help growers increase your yield,” Malsom said.
She said the NPB is focusing its advertising efforts on Generation Z, those born between 1997 and 2012 who are ages 13-28, to increase demand for peanut products.
“If you don’t see our marketing efforts it’s because we’re advertising on social media and streaming platforms geared towards Gen Z. Gen Z is really focused on health and peanuts have a beautiful story to tell,” Malsom said.
The NPB is also working to return peanut products to school menus. Malsom said about 50% of U.S. schools don’t serve peanut products.
“We want schools and colleges to know they can safely serve peanuts despite students with allergies,” Malsom said. “We’re providing operating plans that schools to follow to safely serve peanuts.”
Last fall, the NPB introduced Little Peanut, a toy plushie, to educate parents & healthcare providers that feeding small amounts of peanut foods to infants at the right stage of development – typically around 4-6 months of age – can help prevent children from developing a peanut allergy. Parents can learn more at https://www.littlepeanut.tips/growing-adventurous-eaters/.
Prizes awarded
Robb Lane, of Omaha, Ga., won the grand door prize donated by Kelley Manufacturing Co. Lane received one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine from a KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2025 season, as well as a cash prize.
Melissa Williams of Lenox, Ga., received the grower door prize provided by Amadas Industries. Melissa received a customized Grizzly cooler and a certificate towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine, pull-type peanut combine, peanut digger or peanut dump cart. Joey Williams of Lenox, Ga., received a customized Grizzly cooler and a certificate for Amadas parts.
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