Top peanut producers are recognized for their ingenuity, sustainability and high yields as the 2026 Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award winners during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference.
The 27th Class of PEA winners are:
Upper Southeast – Babb Farm, Windsor, Va.
Lower Southeast – Barksdale Farm, Sylvester, Ga.
Delta – Lonnie Fortner, Port Gibson, Miss.
Southwest – Henry Froese, Seagraves, Texas
The Peanut Efficiency Award is based on production proficiency, honoring growers who produce the highest yields by using inputs wisely and effectively. The awards are presented based on a producer’s entire farm operation and not on individual farms or small plots.
A second major component of the Peanut Efficiency Award is education. Southeast Farm Press, Delta Farm Press and Southwest Farm Press support the education element by publishing articles throughout the year focusing on peanut production efficiency.
Dr. Marshall Lamb, director of the USDA National Peanut Research Laboratory, is the lead advisor for the program and works with the program’s advisory board made up of Extension peanut specialists, county agents, association staff members and economists to bring an outstanding array of nominations each year.
The winners joined Dr. Marshall Lamb on stage to take questions from peanut growers eager to get some tips on improving efficiency on the farm.