Arkansas has now joined the list as a primary peanut producing state. Tyron Spearman has the details.
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March 26, 2014 –ATLANTA—The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) ruled, effective March 24, 2014, to add the state of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state under the Peanut Promotion, Research and Information Order (Order). The Order is administered by the National Peanut Board.
This rule also adds a seat on the National Peanut Board for Arkansas. Under the Order, primary peanut-producing states must maintain a three-year average production of at least 10,000 tons of peanuts. Arkansas’s peanut production meets this requirement. Primary peanut-producing states also have a seat on the Board. This action was recommended by the Board and ensures the Board’s representation reflects changes in the geographical distribution of the production of peanuts.
Currently, the Board is composed of 11 producer-members and alternates: One member and alternate from each primary producing state and one at-large member and alternate collectively from the minor peanut-producing states. This rule classifies the state of Arkansas as a primary peanut-producing state and specifies the Board will be composed of 12 peanut producer-members and their alternates rather than 11. The members and alternates are nominated by state producers or producer groups.
Arkansas Peanut Growers Association Seeks National Peanut Board Nominees
Arkansas Peanut Growers Association will hold a nominations election to select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board. The nominations election meeting will be held May 6, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at Walnut Ridge Country Club, 249 Lawrence Road 408; Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72476.
All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop. Eligible candidates must be current on their assessment payments to the National Peanut Board and, if nominated, be willing to undergo a Federal background check. National Peanut Board member and alternate positions are unpaid.
USDA requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit Arkansas’s slate of nominees to the U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments.
Anyone interested in being nominated as a National Peanut Board member or alternate may attend the meeting or contact Greg Gill, president of Arkansas Peanut Growers Association or Greg Baltz, vice-president of Arkansas Peanut Growers Association.
The National Peanut Board encourages inclusion of persons of any race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. NPB encourages all persons who qualify as peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination. It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry-government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs.