J. Frank McGill was chosen as this year’s Valor Award winner, sponsored by Valent. Known as “Mr. Peanut,” Dr. McGill served as president of the American Peanut Research and Education Society; chairman of the University of Georgia Agronomists, the U.S. Task Force on Peanut Policy and the U.S. Peanut Improvement Working Group. He was technical advisor to the Georgia Peanut Commission, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, National Peanut Council and National Peanut Growers Group. He traveled to 21 foreign countries as a peanut consultant.
Still very active at 92 years old, Dr. McGill was unable to make it to the conference to receive his award because he just recently fell off a ladder and hurt his ankle. But we did have a nice video of him, which can be viewed below.
The award was presented by David Yoder with Valent, which has been a sponsor of the conference for 20 years. The award is named for Valent’s popular peanut herbicide.
SPGC18 Valor award interview with David Yoder, Valent
2018 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album
2 Comments on “2018 Valor Award Goes To J. Frank McGill”
In December 2016 I wrote to UGA-CAES. I asked how is it that UGA never gave Frank McGill an Honorary Doctorate Degree? As starters, which you have acknowledged in the “Valor Award’, he is on record as part of a UGA team that had a profound impact on the production of peanuts through the multi-discipline “package approach” that resulted in a very real impact in peanut yield. Peanuts is in the top 10 foods for fighting hunger and for him to have had a direct hand in the increased production of one of the top 10 is remarkable. I am bewildered that UGA-CAES has not given him a long overdue Honorary Doctorate.
After reading his book, “From the Mule to the Moon.” Colleagues of mine and I commented;
– “Even when cheated by Foreign Countries he didn’t let anger grip him. Instead, he focused on the honesty of his own contribution and hoped it would result in feeding the hungry.”
– “He never lost sight of his purpose.” Throughout the book his goodness and good conscience is so prevalent. He cared deeply that his work resulted in feeding the hungry.”
– “Mr. McGill is an awesome story teller, what a great book. He is an example for us all to follow. Even when cheated by Foreign Countries he didn’t let anger grip him. Instead, he focused on the honesty of his own contribution and hoped it would result in feeding the hungry. He never lost sight of his purpose.”
I am so very happy for Frank that he has received this much deserved award.
With warm regards,
Linda
“I wish every Ag student would take the time to read this inspiring book. “From the Mule to the Moon.” . What a wonderful and purposeful life Mr. McGill led.”