SPFF News & Resources

The first general session of the 2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference was focused on the future, specifically the future of peanut value and grading. Three industry experts shared their thoughts and entertained questions on that important topic.

T.E. Moye joined the Georgia Federal State Inspection Service as President and CFO in 2011. As a farmer, he was the recipient of the 2009 Farm Press Profitability Award for the lower Southeast.

Karl Zimmer is president and CEO of Premium Peanut, a grower-owned peanut sheller processing nearly 10 percent of the U.S. peanut crop. He is also chairman of the American Peanut Shellers Association.

Dr. Marshall Lamb is research leader at the USDA ARS National Peanut Research Laboratory and is no stranger to the SPGC since he serves as the national program adviser for the Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award.

Listen to their comments and an interview with Moye below.

Interview T.E. Moye, GA Federal-State Inspection Service (5:43)

General Session I – Future Vision of Peanut Value and Grading

Karl Zimmer, Premium Peanut (24:48)

T.E. Moye, GA Federal-State Inspection Service (27:39)

Dr. Marshall Lamb, USDA-ARS National Peanut Research Lab (17:42)

During the general session, “State of U.S. Peanut Policy,” U.S. Senator John Boozman, (R-Arkansas), provided remarks with a focus on topics like infrastructure proposals, rural broadband and more. After his remarks he met with media representatives for a question and answers session and also discussed the current status of the WOTUS legislation as well as the farm bill and estate taxes.

Remarks from Senator John Boozman

Press gaggle with Senator John Boozman

2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

This year Peanut Proud received the Valor Award sponsored by Valent. Receiving the award is Gregg Grimsley, Birdsong Peanuts, and president of Peanut Proud, pictured on the right. Presenting is John Alton, Valent.

Peanut Proud was formed in 2009 and provides domestic hunger relief, emergency disaster relief and international hunger relief.

Through the past 11 years Peanut Proud had donated nearly 3 million jars of peanut butter across the U.S., the Bahamas and Haiti. The peanut butter has been delivered by naval ships, Carnival cruise lines, by Southern Ag Carriers, Early Trucking Company, individuals and more.

Interview with Gregg Grimsley, President, Peanut Proud

2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

Peanut growers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi are gathered together again live and in-person for their annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference at Panama City Beach, Florida. After having to cancel the popular event last year due to COVID, everyone is thrilled to be back on the beach.

As has been the tradition, we start off the conference by interviewing the executive directors of each state grower organization. From left to right in the photo, we have the new kid on the block Jacob Davis, Alabama Peanut Producers Association; Malcolm Broome, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association; Ken Barton, Florida Peanut Producers Association, and Don Koehler, Georgia Peanut Commission.

Each director discusses the current status of the peanut crop in their state, priorities for peanut growers, and how it feels to be back together.

Jacob Davis, AL Peanut Producers Association

Malcolm Broome, MS Peanut Growers Association

Ken Barton, FL Peanut Produces Association

Don Koehler, GA Peanuts

We’ve got lots of photos from this year’s conference you are welcome to download and share. You can find them all here: 2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album

It is almost time for the 2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference. Listen in on a preview interview of the conference with Florida Peanut Producers Association Executive Director Ken Barton.

Ken starts out talking about the theme of this year’s conference, “Bringing Vision to Peanuts.” After that we go over the schedule which is similar to past conferences. Things will start out on the first day with a unique check-in that includes fresh grilled PBJ sandwiches and lots of ice cream and toppings, including peanuts. This is very much a family conference so this start allows a lot of people to visit with the full families. Then we have an evening welcome reception and dinner. The opening general session on day two is followed by another session, lunch and a free afternoon with family oriented activities. We’ll get into the “State of Peanut Policy” on the final day after awards and then lunch and the annual conference golf tournament. This is going to be a great conference!

The blog will have fresh photos, interviews and sharing whatever goes on. We’ve been blogging the conference since back in 2008! You can still find old stories and photos by looking at the links on the blog homepage.

You can listen to the conference preview here: Interview with Ken Barton, FPPS

Bob Redding of The Redding Firm brought together a panel of peanut industry stakeholders to talk about the current state of trade and what can be done about it.

“It’s going to impact all of us if we don’t look at the fact that what we’re growing we’ve got to sell,” said Georgia Peanut Commission Executive Director Don Koehler, who serves on the USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade. He shared the panel with Karl Zimmer of the American Peanut Shellers Association, and Joe Parker with the National Peanut Buying Points Association.

Listen to their conversation here:

Peanut Industry Trade Panel Discussion

2019 Southern Peanut Growers Conference Photo Album