PEANUT MARKETING NEWS – March 2, 2020 – Tyron Spearman, Editor (28)

MARCH IS NATIONAL PEANUT MONTH - March celebrates one of America’s favorite snack foods…Peanuts! National Peanut
Month had its beginnings as National Peanut Week in 1941, but later morphed into a month-long celebration in 1974. And why not
celebrate this versatile food? Whether it’s the smell of their roasted goodness, the grinding of their essence into peanut butter or just
being used to make healthier cooking oil, peanuts have found their way into many of the food items we consume regularly.
Peanut cultivation and popularity in American food culture can be attributed to Dr. George Washington Carver, nicknamed
“The Father of the Peanut” for his tireless devotion to this versatile legume. In fact, in 1925, Carver published a bulletin called, “How to
Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption.”
Peanuts are a very valuable source of protein, niacin, folate and phytosterols, more than any nut. They also contain over 30
essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and rumor has it that there’s enough mental stimulation in
one peanut to give a person 30 minutes of serious thinking! Need a brain recharge, eat a peanut!!!!!
Even if that’s not the case, peanuts provide a serious source of protein and B vitamins to help prevent “brain fatigue”! So keep a
bag nearby for that extra boost now and then. Enjoy!
PEANUT SHELLERS ASSOCIATION HAS SPRING CONFERENCE – The American Peanut Shellers Association Spring
Meeting is March 3-4, 2020 in Albany, Georgia. Committee meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd at the Association
office. The general session will be held on March 4th at The Bindery at Oakland Library. Comp luncheon to follow, registration is
required. Speakers announced include:
✓ ASSOCIATE MEMBER UPDATE - Patricia Moody, APSA Sales Task Force & Sales Manager, Olam Peanut Shelling Co.
✓ UPDATE FROM THE GEORGIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE -Chris Clark, Chairman & CEO, Georgia Chamber
✓ A WASHINGTON OVERVIEW - Karl Zimmer, APSA Chairman & Legislative Committee Chairman
✓ AFLATOXIN CONCERNS OF 2019 CROP - Mike Jackson, President, JLA International
✓ UPDATE FROM NATIONAL PEANUT BOARD - Sherry Coleman Collins, RD Consultant, National Peanut Board
✓ HONOR ROLL OF INVESTORS – 2020 - Charles Birdsong, Chairman, Development Committee
✓ U.S. PEANUT CROP - PLANTING INTENTIONS - 2020 CROP-Kris Balkcom, Extension Specialist, Auburn
✓ UPDATE FROM HERSHEY- Mark Kline, Senior Manager, Nut & Energy Sourcing, Global Commodities
UPDATE ON GEORGIA FARM RECOVERY GRANT - In 2018, Georgia agriculture suffered a $2.5 billion economic loss from
Hurricane Michael. Since June 2019, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and commodity commissions have worked closely
with the USDA to reach an agreement on a disaster relief package. Last November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
earmarked $800 million in block grant funds to aid states impacted by the storm, allocating $347 million for Georgia farmers
and landowners.
The enrollment process can only be completed online through farmrecovery.com. While mobile phones may be used to
sign up and log in, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the application using a computer to ensure proper upload and
attachment of required documentation. Applications must be submitted by the April 8, 2020 deadline. For more information and a
guide to help prepare applicants for enrollment please visit, www.farmrecovery.com.