Nominations Open for the 2026 Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) has announced that nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award, which recognizes exceptional young producers for their leadership, environmental stewardship, and community involvement.
The award honors a Georgia peanut farmer who demonstrates excellence in farm management, environmental and conservation practices, and civic and community leadership.
“We have so many young peanut farmers making a difference in their communities, and I consider this awards program a great opportunity to recognize one young peanut farmer for their contributions to the agricultural industry,” said Georgia Peanut Commission Chair Joe Boddiford.
Eligible applicants must be active Georgia peanut farmers who are 45 years of age or younger as of January 15, 2026. While an individual can only receive the award once, there is no limit to the number of applicants who may be nominated from each county.
The award is sponsored by BASF, a global leader in agricultural innovation. Katie Dougherty, district manager for BASF Crop Protection Products, expressed the company’s pride in supporting Georgia’s young agricultural leaders.
“BASF is honored to sponsor the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award. We are committed to agriculture and bringing innovative solutions to producers that enable their continued success,” Dougherty said.
Applications for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award are available online at www.gapeanuts.com or by contacting Joy Crosby at the Georgia Peanut Commission. All applications must be submitted to the GPC office by Friday, December 5, 2025.
The winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in Tifton, Georgia, during a special recognition ceremony attended by industry leaders, growers, and ag professionals from across the state.
By celebrating the achievements of young peanut producers, the Georgia Peanut Commission aims to highlight the next generation of leaders driving the state’s $2 billion peanut industry forward through innovation, sustainability, and service.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.