November 25, 2013 TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission and the National Peanut Buying Points Association hosted the 2013 Farmer Appreciation Day at the GPC office located in Tifton, Ga., Monday, Nov. 25. Georgia’s peanut farmers, industry representatives, state legislators and U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss attended the event. The event helped to celebrate the hard work of Georgia’s farmers just prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Country-fried peanuts, boiled peanuts, grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other refreshments were available for attendees throughout the day. In addition to the hosts, the event was sponsored and peanut products were donated by the National Peanut Board, Georgia Farm Bureau, M&M Mars, Snyders Lance, Mckee Foods and Hershey Foods.
Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman Armond Morris thinks the Farmer Appreciation Day could not have come at a more perfect time of year to show gratitude for Georgia’s farmers.
“It’s harvest time in Georgia, and what a better time to celebrate and honor the men and women who feed and clothe us than the week of Thanksgiving,” Morris says. “We were pleased to have nearly 100 visitors to the office.”
The attendees began the program at 11:00 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance led by GPC Vice Chairman Joe Boddiford of Sylvania, Ga. Following the pledge, Donald Chase, GPC board member from Oglethorpe, Ga., led the attendees in singing the National Anthem. Earl Steffons, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Tifton, Ga. provided the invocation.
During the program, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., provided greetings to attendees. “America’s farmers deserve our thanks every day, and I’m pleased I was in Tifton today to celebrate Georgia’s peanut farmers. As a member and former chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I will continue to work hard on behalf of farmers and agribusiness to keep this vital sector thriving and contributing to Georgia’s economic health. Ultimately, the reason I am in Washington is to represent those who work the land each and every day to provide the highest quality agricultural products in the world.”
Additional dignitaries attending include Georgia State Senator Tyler Harper, R-District 7, Georgia State Reps. Sam Watson, R-District 172; Darlene Taylor, R-District 173; Jay Roberts, R-District 155, and Tift County Commission Chairman Grady Thompson. The offices of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, U.S. Rep. Austin Scott and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle were also represented by their legislative staff.
The Georgia Peanut Commission represents 3,500 peanut farmers in the state of Georgia and carries out programs in the areas of research, promotion and education. For additional information on the programs of the Georgia Peanut Commission, visit www.gapeanuts.com.