Just in time for National Ag Day, the Georgia Peanut Commission is proud to announce the release of a newly published children’s book, “A Home Run for Peanuts.” Written by South Dakota author Amanda Radke and illustrated by Minnesota artist Michelle Weber, “A Home Run for Peanuts” takes young readers on fun adventures from a peanut farm to the baseball park.

“The Georgia Peanut Commission created this book for children to help them understand the process of growing and harvesting peanuts,” says Hannah Jones, Georgia Peanut Commission research and education project coordinator. “The information is told by a fun and colorful narrator, straight from the viewpoint of the farm.”

Readers will meet the story’s main character — a farm kid, Jake, and his dog, Max — as they explore his family’s peanut farm through the seasons. Along the way, Jake is studying at school and practicing with his baseball team, and he fuels his busy days with protein-rich peanut butter, of course.

“Through this vibrant and memorable story, we hope students learn about life on the farm, as well as peanut farming,” Jones says. “We want readers to know peanuts are not only delicious, but they are good for you, too! We hope to convey that message through this story and inspire families to incorporate peanuts into their daily menus.”

Throughout the book, Jake enjoys a wide array of peanut meals, from classic peanut butter sandwiches, to peanut butter protein balls, to peanut butter cookies and more. Jake is able to ace his tests and hit home runs, thanks to his nutrient-dense on-the-go peanut snacks. The book even features a kid-friendly, parent-approved recipe for, Game Day Peanut Butter Protein Bites.

“A Home Run for Peanuts” was written for second through fourth graders and includes a lesson plan and vocabulary list, perfect for teachers to incorporate into the classroom.

“We are excited to share this story with young readers and show them how farm families are just regular people who take pride in their way of life as they produce a home run crop to feed the world,” Jones says.

Copies of “A Home Run for Peanuts” are available at www.gapeanuts.com, on Amazon or in the Georgia Peanut Commission Gift Shop.

The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 5, 2020, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus at 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available on peanut research projects funded by GPC in 2019.

“The commission works to wisely invest peanut farmers’ dollars into research projects across Georgia in an effort to reduce production input costs and improve agronomic techniques,” says Donald Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman. “Although some of the findings are preliminary, the projects are exciting and many times new recommendations or observations are announced.”

GPC awarded $653,901 to peanut research facilities in the state during 2019. This effort funds 35 research projects from the University of Georgia, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management as well as pest, weed and disease management.

The agenda for the GPC Research Report Day is available online at www.gapeanuts.com. All research reports will be available online following the GPC Research Report Day.

More than 1,600 attendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the 44th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 16, 2020, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission.

The one-day show offered farmers a chance to view the products and services of 113 exhibitors, as well as a day of education. The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational peanut production seminar focusing on common mistakes with fertility, weed, insect and disease management that reduce a farmer’s profitability. An industry seed seminar was held, which highlighted peanut varieties available for 2020.

The Georgia Peanut Commission installed the sixth recipient into the Georgia Peanut Hall of Fame by inducting U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. A portrait of Sen. Isakson, unveiled at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show, will be displayed at the GPC headquarters in Tifton, Ga. Senator Isakson holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate. In addition, in 2016 he became the first Georgia Republican ever to be elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate. He officially retired from the U.S. Senate on Dec. 31, 2019.

2020 Georgia Peanut Farm Show Award Winners

The Georgia Peanut Commission presented awards to individuals and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion of peanuts across the United States. The award recipients were: Distinguished Service Award – Dr. Joe West, assistant dean for the University of Georgia Tifton Campus; Research and Education Award – National Peanut Research Laboratory; Media Award – posthumously to John Leidner, freelance writer for the Southeastern Peanut Farmer, and David Maxwell, managing editor of the Donalsonville News; and two Georgia Peanut Special Awards to Southern Ag Carriers and to Peanut Butter & Jesus in Tifton, Georgia.

The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award, sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF, was presented to Jonathan Hitchcock of Tennille, Georgia. The award is presented to one Georgia peanut farmer based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship practices; and leadership and community service activities. Hitchcock’s farming operation includes 4,200 acres of peanuts, cotton, corn, soybeans, oats, sorghum, hay and a cow/calf beef operation. Hitchcock strives to utilize innovative stewardship practices on the farm to reduce his carbon footprint and water usage. He is also active within a number of community and agriculture organizations within his county and across the state of Georgia.

In addition to the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Agri Supply presented the Outstanding Georgia Peanut Farmers of the Year Award to individuals representing each of the commission’s five districts. The GPC board members started this award to honor farmers who have the passion, diligence, leadership and desire to see the peanut industry in the state of Georgia continue to be the highest quality. Winners include: District 1 posthumously – Jud Greene, Brinson; District 2 – Charles Paulk, Ocilla; District 3 – Wade McElveen, Brooklet; District 4 – Ronney Ledford Sr., Vienna; and District 5 – Mike McLendon, Oglethorpe. These farmers received a sign to display at their farm and gift cards from Agri Supply and the Georgia Peanut Commission.

At the close of the day, the presentation of the Grand Door Prize donated by Kelley Manufacturing Co. was presented to Waylon Hitchcock of Tennille, Georgia. Hitchcock received one season’s use of a new KMC peanut combine and the option of purchasing the combine from a KMC dealer with $15,000 off the list price at the end of the 2020 season.

Amadas Industries also provided the Grower Door Prize to Gregg McClellan of Alapaha, Georgia, and Wayne Nash of Ray City, Georgia. McClellan received a certificate for $10,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas pull-type peanut combine or $2,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas peanut digger or $1,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas peanut dump cart. Nash received a customized Grizzly cooler and a $1,000 certificate for Amadas parts.

For photos and additional information on the Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, visit the Georgia Peanut Commission website at www.gapeanuts.com.