Georgia peanut growers affirm continuation of Peanut Commission
Jim Hendricks
TIFTON — More than nine out of 10 Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission in a referendum conducted every three years on the group charged with education and promotion of one of the state’s leading row crops.
Commission officials said Tuesday that of 92.41 percent of those who voted in the referendum conducted March 16-April 15 endorsed continuing the commission, which is funded through producer checkoff dollars.
“I appreciate the farmer’s confidence in the commission and we are committed to continue earning that confidence,” commission Chairman Armond Morris, a peanut farmer from Ocilla, said. “The commission continues to work together as a partnership between Georgia’s peanut farmers, the commission board and staff, in funding research projects to assist with increasing yield, promoting peanuts and working on the farmers’ behalf in Washington, D.C.”
As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers the week of March 16 and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett on Tuesday counted the ballots that were returned.
“Our staff is humbled by the overwhelming support of our growers,” said Don Koehler, commission executive director. “We will continue to seek opportunities through programs in research, education and promotion to enhance profit opportunities on the farm.”
Georgia peanut farmers pay $2 per ton each year to the commission, which is headed by a board of five peanut growers elected by peanut farmers from single-member districts. That money is used in the program areas of research, education, promotion and communications.
For additional information on the Georgia Peanut Commission, visit its website at gapeanuts.com.
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