You can now register to attend the 2019 Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 18-20 at the Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida.
The National Peanut Board continues to advance the conversation around peanut allergy prevention with the launch today of its 2019 early introduction consumer campaign, “Size 4 to 6 Months.”
When the guidelines for early introduction of peanut foods to help prevent allergies were released by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the Board took a bold step to help make this new research part of public discourse.
As a new generation of parents are born every year, the need for ongoing awareness around the guidelines remains germane. To continue this important work, the National Peanut Board is releasing a limited edition baby fashion line.
Check out the cute outfits and learn more about introducing peanuts to infants at https://preventpeanutallergies.org/4-to-6-months/.
USDA Announces Voting Period for Continuance Referendum for National Peanut Research and Promotion Program
For the first time, eligible peanut producers can opt to vote electronically or by paper ballot.
March 12, 2019 – ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a notice in the Federal Register announcing a referendum among eligible producers of peanuts to determine whether they favor continuance of the Peanut Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order), which authorizes the National Peanut Board.
The referendum will be conducted from April 15 through May 3, 2019. USDA will provide the option for electronic balloting. Further details will be stated in the official ballot instructions, which will be sent by regular U. S. mail to all eligible peanut producers. Voters must return ballots postmarked by May 3, 2019. Ballots returned via express mail or electronic means must show proof of delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on May 3, 2019.
To be eligible to vote in this continuance referendum, persons must have produced peanuts and been subject to assessments during the representative period from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018.
Under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (Act), the U.S. Department of Agriculture must conduct a referendum every five years or when 10 percent or more of the eligible peanut producers petition the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a referendum to determine if persons subject to assessment favor continuance of the Order. The Department of Agriculture would continue the Order if continuance is approved by a simple majority of the producers voting in the referendum.
Jeanette Palmer and Heather Pichelman, PED, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406-S, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. The referendum agents will distribute the ballots and voting instructions by U. S. mail or through electronic means to all known producers prior to the first day of the voting period. Persons who produced peanuts and were subject to assessments during the representative period are eligible to vote.
Any eligible producer who does not receive a ballot should contact the referendum agent as soon as possible.
The National Peanut Board’s mission is to improve the economic conditions for all USA peanut farmers and their families. Through compelling promotions and groundbreaking research, the Board is finding new ways to enhance production and increase consumer demand by promoting the great taste, nutrition and culinary versatility of USA-grown peanuts.
Bipartisan Senators Introduce Major Disaster Relief Package – President Trump Drives Effort For Disaster Relief Funding
(WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 26, 2019) – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) today introduced a bipartisan disaster relief package with the backing of President Donald J. Trump. President Trump, working with this bipartisan group of senators, has confirmed his support for disaster relief and encouraged Congress to pass legislation with funding for Alabama and other states that are recovering from recent hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
“In October, President Trump and Vice President Pence both saw the devastation of Hurricane Michael firsthand and promised farmers they would have their backs. In pushing for this disaster relief bill, the President is fulfilling that promise,” said Senator Perdue, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Now, it is up to Congress to follow through and pass this critical, bipartisan bill. Our farmers and rural communities cannot wait any longer for disaster relief. For some Georgia farmers, the timing of assistance will determine whether they put a crop in the ground ever again.”
“I’ve spoken personally with President Trump and Vice President Pence, with Senate leaders, with Governor Kemp and with Georgia farmers about our desperately needed disaster aid legislation and how to get it moving as soon as possible,” said Senator Isakson. “This legislation will provide critical funds to our farmers and producers who suffered significant agricultural losses in Georgia last year during Hurricane Michael. We are now close to planting season, and time is of the essence for the lives and livelihoods in the industry. We cannot overstate the importance of quickly passing this legislation to restore our agriculture community in Georgia.”
“In Alabama, we’ve seen our fair share of hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather over the years, but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier to either experience a disaster or to rebuild after one,” said Senator Jones. “Therefore, I’m proud to join Senator Perdue to introduce this bill and help folks get back on their feet by providing $13.6 billion in additional disaster relief funds. This bipartisan legislation will help Alabama farmers who were hard hit by Hurricane Michael.”
“While Senate Republicans voted overwhelmingly to help Florida communities devastated by Hurricane Michael earlier this year, Congress has repeatedly played politics with disaster funding at the expense of local communities still struggling to recover,” said Senator Rubio. “Each day that Congress fails to act, state and local governments become increasingly at risk of running out of the necessary resources needed to address critical issues and fully recover from recent disasters. Our communities should not have to suffer the consequences of Congress’s inaction any longer. It is time to act.”
“As Governor of Florida, I saw firsthand the destruction left behind by multiple devastating hurricanes,” said Senator Rick Scott. “Following these storms, we worked nonstop to help our communities recover – but there is still a lot to do, especially when it comes to rebuilding Tyndall Air Force Base. Disaster funding should not be a political fight and needs to be brought to the floor of the Senate as quickly as possible. I will never stop fighting for disaster funding to help Tyndall return to its full operation and make sure Florida families and businesses have the resources they need to get back to their normal lives. I’m glad this bill also includes the funding to help our friends in Puerto Rico continue to rebuild following Hurricane Maria.”
“It’s well past time for Congress to move forward with this much needed disaster funding,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Thanks to my colleague Senator Perdue for leading the charge, and I hope we see a vote in the immediate future.”
“Alaskans are a tough, resilient, and caring people. Within hours of the last November’s earthquake, the Trump Administration was eager to do what they could to help in the aftermath,” said Senator Sullivan. “In addition to the response of our local Emergency Response personnel, Alaska Department of Transportation and countless others were out inspecting and repairing infrastructure within hours – that rebuilding continues today. This bipartisan relief package provides for states like Alaska that seek to further that rebuilding process in the aftermath of a major natural disaster.”
“As North Carolina continues to recover from Hurricane Florence, this bipartisan legislation is a positive step to ensure our great state receives the resources it needs to help communities affected by the storm,” said Senator Tillis. “Immediately following the destruction, I worked with Senator Burr and the entire North Carolina delegation to secure an initial down payment of recovery funding on behalf of North Carolinians, but much more still needs to be done. I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate and ensure our families, businesses and farmers have the opportunity to rebuild from the devastation left by Hurricane Florence.”
This bipartisan funding package includes:
Click here for text of the bipartisan disaster relief package.
The Peanut Institute is bringing awareness of the cancer fighting properties of peanuts to do their part in creating a healthier world.
To learn more about the health benefits of peanuts, including their cancer fighting properties, go to www.peanut-institute.com
The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show was held Thursday, February 7, 2019 at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. Over 300 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended to view industry products and services offered by more than 60 exhibitors. The trade show is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) and the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA).
A catered lunch was provided by the National Peanut Board, APPA, and FPPA. After lunch, Dr. Marshall Lamb, from the National Peanut Research Lab, spoke to growers about the 2019 crop outlook as well as the current market status. Attendees also heard from Bob Parker, President of the National Peanut Board, and Bob Redding, of the Redding Firm.
A special presentation was made to the American Peanut Shellers Association (APSA) to recognize their success as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Jamie Brown, Vice-President and President-elect for APSA, was on hand to accept the award.
Several door prizes were given out throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced at lunch.
The Grand Door Prize, provided by Kelley Manufacturing Co., of one season’s use of a six-row peanut combine, and the option to purchase at the end of the season with $15,000 of the list price was won by Mitch Danford of Cottonwood, AL.
The Grower Prize, provided by Amadas Industries, of one season’s use of a peanut digger/ inverter or $10,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 towards the purchase of a new pull-type combine was won by Greg Kaiser of Elberta, AL. The AMADAS “Parts Credit” for $1,000 was won by Ashby Massey of Graceville, FL.
The “Ag Trip of a Lifetime”, provided by Colombo North America, of a trip to Brazil to visit Columbo’s manufacturing plants during harvest season, including farms, shelling plants, and local tourism, was won by Tammy Long of Bascom, FL.
Mike Newberry, of Blakely, GA, won a free trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Keith Watford, of Gordon, AL, won a Benelli Nova 12 gauge shotgun.
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Auburn University College of Agriculture, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System have set the dates for the 2019 Alabama Peanut Production Meetings. We hope you will make plans to attend the meeting closest to you to learn about the latest research and recommendations coming from our peanut specialists to help you prepare for the 2019 peanut season.
To see a list of the meeting dates, locations and times – CLICK HERE!
Please contact the APPA office if you questions at 334-792-6482.
Make plans now to attend the 2019 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show on Thursday, Feb. 7 at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. A free, catered lunch will begin at noon, with a short program to follow.
Peanut growers from Alabama and Florida are encouraged to attend this annual event to view the industry products and services offered by over 70 exhibitors.
The trade show is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) and the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA).
The catered lunch will be provided by the National Peanut Board, APPA, and FPPA. During the lunch program, Dr. Marshall Lamb, from the National Peanut Research Lab, will speak to growers about the 2019 crop outlook as well as the current market status.
Over $20,000 in door prizes will be given out throughout the morning of the trade show. Winners must be certified peanut farmers with a Farm Service Agency farm number.
Kelley Manufacturing Company will provide the Grand Door Prize – the use of a new 6 row peanut combine, on the winner’s farm, for the 2019 peanut harvesting season, with the option of purchasing the combine through an authorized KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price. The winner must have at least 75 acres of peanuts.
The Grower Prize will be provided by Amadas Industries, and will include a certificate for $10,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine, or $5,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas 4-row or 6-row pull-type peanut combine, or $1,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas peanut dump cart.
Columbo North America will give-a-way an “Ag Experience of a Lifetime.” They will draw for a trip for two down to Brazil during the peanut harvest. The trip will tour the Colombo manufacturing plants, along with farms, shelling plants, and local tourism. This drawing will be for certified peanut growers with at least 75 acres of peanuts.
Other door prizes include a shotgun, free registration and lodging for the 2019 Southern Peanut Growers Conference, $1,000 parts credit for Amadas parts, two nights in a beachfront unit at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida, and much more.
For more information, please visit www.alpeanuts.com or www.flpeanuts.com. If you are interested in being an exhibitor, please contact Kaye Lynn Hataway at 334-792-6482 or Sherry Saunders at 850-526-2590.
Carl Sanders, President of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, has been re-appointed to serve on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Peanut Standards Board through June 2021. He was appointed by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Recommendations developed by the Peanut Standards Board have played an important part in the production and marketing of peanuts in the United States,” said Perdue in the USDA’s press release on December 3, 2018.
The USDA consults with the Peanut Standards Board on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts.
“I am honored to represent Alabama peanut growers on the Peanut Standards Board,” Sanders says. “It is important for growers to have a voice in any changes to the grading of peanuts. We were fortunate to get the Seg. 2 level raised to three percent this past year. This allows growers more opportunity to market their crops.”
For more information about the Peanut Standards Board, visit www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/peanut-board.
Congratulations to the 2018 National Peanut Festival Recipe Contest winners! The Adult Grand Prize Winner was Kathryn Conrad of Cottonwood, Ala., with her 3-Layer Peanut Butter Cake. The Student Grand Prize Winner was Skyler Brannon of Hartford, Ala. with her PaPa’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Candy.