Peanut Farmer Perspective

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, AudioLeave a Comment

It’s always good to hear from our presenters and sponsors but what about our growers? Let’s find out what a peanut farmer thinks about the conference. I spoke with Steve “Beaver” Yoder, Altha, FL. Steve brings his family as many peanut farmers do. They look forward to it as a “tradition” and it shows his children what he does and … Read More

Mississippi Peanut Growers Association

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, AudioLeave a Comment

One of the newest peanut groups to participate in the conference is Mississippi Peanut Growers Association. Their president is Joe Morgan, M&M Farms. He says they have just hired a part time executive director. Joe says growers felt there was a real need to create an organization to represent them and help promote Mississippi peanuts. He says things are going … Read More

Changing The Culture Of Peanut Marketing

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, AudioLeave a Comment

Today’s conference agenda includes several different sessions with multiple presenters per session. I’m interviewing several of them and will get started with our first session. Talking to attendees about marketing from the point of view of the manufacturer was Ben Smith, Lance, Inc. He spoke about “changing our culture on how we have marketed that product in past years.” That … Read More

Bayer CropScience Remains Committed To Industry

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, Audio, Conference SponsorsLeave a Comment

Our sponsor for the opening dinner was Bayer CropScience, represented by John Hand. He welcomed us before the evening’s entertainment got started. During a break today I spoke with John to learn what’s new with Bayer CropScience. He started out by saying how important the conference is to the company and that they are committed to creating new technologies for … Read More

Valor Award Presented To Leslie Wagner

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, Audio, VideoLeave a Comment

Leslie Wagner, Executive Director, Southern Peanut Growers, was presented with this year’s Valor Award. The award was presented by John Altom, Valent. I spoke with Leslie prior to the award and you can listen to our conversation below. So congrats to Leslie because she’s also celebrating the 30th anniversary of Southern Peanut Growers. In fact, during registration yesterday there was … Read More

Opening Dinner Hypnosis

Chuck Zimmerman2010 ConferenceLeave a Comment

Thanks to Bayer CropScience the conference opened with some entertainment that also provided some inspirational and practical ideas for improving your life. On the stage was Dr. Holiday, The Hilarious Hypnotist. Before getting the show going he talked about using self-hypnosis to facilitate achieving most personal goals. He’s a big advocate of relaxing and then taking action. Then he got … Read More

Grilling Peanut Butter and Jelly Sanwiches

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, AudioLeave a Comment

Hot grilled PB&J’s are welcoming attendees once again to the conference. Thank you to the The Peanut Institute and the National Peanut Buying Points Association for grilling. One of the master grillers is Larry Cunningham, pictured center. I asked what makes a great grilled PB&J. He says it’s just like a grilled cheese sandwich only 10 times better. He says … Read More

Florida Peanut Producers Say Industry Is Healthy

Chuck Zimmerman2010 Conference, AudioLeave a Comment

One of the associations that puts on the Southern Peanut Growers Conference is the Florida Peanut Producers Association. Ken Barton is Executive Director for FPPA and was welcoming people as they registered. Ken provided me with an overview of the conference since it’s my first one. He says the content seems to get better each year. The registration room was … Read More

Welcome To 12th Annual Conference

Chuck Zimmerman2010 ConferenceLeave a Comment

Panama City Beach and the Edgewater Beach Resort welcome peanut growers to the 12th annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference. The beaches are white and the water is clear and emerald green. The recent oil well situation seems to have left us alone and we’re very grateful for that. So, attendees and their families will be enjoying some great fun while … Read More