SPFF News & Resources

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 how he keeps himself informed as a farmer. He sees the conference as a great opportunity to combine some vacation time with a professional improvement conference. He says his peanut crop is off to a good start by the way. That’s what I’m hearing a lot in the hallways.

Listen to my interview with Steve here:

Steve Yoder Interview (MP3)

12th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

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 well. They’ve got over 25,000 acres of peanuts in the state now. Joe says the crop looks good right now after some early wet spots.

Listen to my interview with Joe here:

Joe Morgan Interview (MP3)

12th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

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 means being more sensitive and aware of the new procedures that manufacturers are using to meet market demands. He says this means doing it differently than the way it has always been done. This is especially important as it relates to allergens and keeping them separated from peanuts.

Listen to my interview with Ben here:

Ben Smith Interview (MP3)

12th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

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 to put some peanut butter and jelly between two slices of bread, brush on some margarine and slap it on the grill. It’s something you don’t want to miss out on.

Listen to my interview with Larry here:

Larry Cunningham Interview (MP3)

12th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

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 very busy so it looks like attendance is off to a great start.

The program will include speakers talking about each segment of the peanut industry including research and promotion. Of course farmer attendees get some time to enjoy the beach with their families. Ken points out that the water is beautiful and clean.

I asked him about the status of the Florida peanut industry and he says it’s “very healthy.” Consumption is increasing and the crop is in good shape although some areas could use more rain.

Listen to my interview with Ken here:

Ken Barton Interview (MP3)

12th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album