Welcomed Return for Southern Peanut Growers Conference

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

By Clint Thompson

The return of the Southern Peanut Growers Conference this weekend in Panama City Beach, Florida is a welcomed sight for growers and industry leaders, says, Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association.

“It was great to welcome all the peanut growers, the staff from the four grower associations and had our sponsors back to Florida, having been canceled last year because of COVID, it was just a great opportunity to welcome everybody back to Florida,” Barton said.

Members of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation meet at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference every year. The group comprises farmers from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi.

The conference, like most events, was canceled in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The three-day event, July 15-17, includes seminars that spotlight peanut production in the future as well as general sessions on Saturday where a panel of industry experts and government leaders, including Arkansas Senator John Boozman, will speak about the state of U.S. peanut policy and look ahead to the upcoming Farm Bill.