Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy Jointly Unveil New Investments to Bring More Nutrient Dense, Local Food into Schools and Give Cafeterias the Tools to Serve Healthier Meals (Washington, D.C., August 24, 2026) – Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced sweeping new efforts to strengthen school meals by … Read More
H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act – Peanut Farm Bill Provisions Explained
On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), was signed into law following votes of approval by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. The primary purpose of a budget reconciliation bill is to fast-track legislation required for federal spending, revenue, and the debt limit. This “mega bill” included key provisions historically part of … Read More
USPF Supports the Agricultural Act of 2026
Aug. 4, 2026, WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) proudly supports the Agricultural Act of 2026 bill text released by U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). The proposed legislation, commonly referred to as “Farm Bill 2.0,” builds upon the historic agricultural investments included in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, further … Read More
Young Peanut Farmers Look Ahead: Building the Next Generation of Agriculture
For four young producers participating in the Peanut Leadership Academy, farming is more than a career—it is a commitment to building something that can be passed on to the next generation. During a young peanut producers panel at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Garrett Moore of Alabama, Jeffrey Pittman of Florida, Mary Katherine Harrington of South Carolina and Adam Curls … Read More
Peanut Industry Priorities Take Center Stage in Washington
During the third general session of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference, Bob Redding of The Redding Firm, provided an inside look at the issues shaping federal agricultural policy, discussed the latest developments in Washington and their potential impact on peanut farmers. Redding highlighted the significance of provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including increased peanut reference prices, higher … Read More
USDA FSA Updates Offer New Opportunities for Peanut Producers
William “Bill” Beam, administrator with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) outlined several provisions at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference that could provide additional support and flexibility for peanut producers. Beam highlighted changes involving base acres, reference prices, payment limits, Marketing Assistance Loans and the agency’s efforts to modernize its record keeping systems. One significant change is the addition of … Read More
Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award Winners
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, … Read More
Building Resilience in Agriculture
During the Southern Peanut Growers Conference luncheon, Marshal Sewell of Mind Your Melon, delivered a powerful and deeply personal message on mental health in agriculture. Drawing from his experience as part of a fifth-generation fruit and vegetable farming family in Plant City, Florida, Sewell connected the pride of agricultural heritage with the pressures and uncertainties that come with carrying on … Read More
From 2,600 to 4,000 Pounds: The Research Behind Peanut Yield Gains
For decades, peanut research has helped transform U.S. peanut production, with average yields increasing from about 2,600 pounds per acre in the 1990s to roughly 4,000 pounds—or two tons—per acre since 2012. Dr. Marshall Lamb, research leader at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Peanut Research Laboratory, says that progress is the result of collaboration among universities, Extension, private industry … Read More
Technology Helps Peanut Farmers Adapt to Weather Challenges
Weather remains one of the biggest variables in peanut production, affecting everything from planting through harvest. While farmers cannot control the weather, advances in precision agriculture, artificial intelligence and data technology are providing new ways to better anticipate conditions, respond to challenges and make more timely management decisions. During General Session 1, Simer Virk, extension specialist in Precision Agriculture and … Read More