The 2026 Valor Award was presented to Don Koehler, retired executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission. John Altom with Valent presented the award and explained that the winners each year are selected because they model the definition of Valor, which means “great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.”
Don has served as executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission since 1986 and was appointed to senior executive director in 2026. He serves on the management team of the Southern Peanut Growers, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation and member of the Executive Committee of the U.S. Peanut Federation. He is currently serving his ninth term as a member and currently Chairman of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee, which advises USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy issues.
His contributions have included leadership in agricultural policy, international trade, Farm Bill development, export promotion, and grower advocacy. Koehler has also served on the APC Board of Directors and chaired APC’s Peanut Butter for the Hungry Task Force.
Don and his wife, Cheryl, reside in Tifton, GA where they are members of First Baptist Church. They have one son in heaven, one son who lives in Tifton, three grandsons and one granddaughter.
Congratulations to Don Koehler.