Georgia Peanut Farm Show provides a day of education
Hitchcock receives Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award
Released: January 22, 2013
TIFTON, Ga. —More than 1,800 producers were able to fine-tune their farming operations
with information gained at the 37th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan.
17, 2013, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton,
Ga. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission in cooperation with
the University of Georgia.
The one-day show offered farmers a full day to view the products and services
of 97 exhibitors and a day of education. The University of Georgia Peanut Team
presented educational peanut production seminars throughout the day focusing
on disease and weed management, soil fertility, peanut maturity determination
and marketing options for 2013. During the afternoon, an industry seed seminar
was held which highlighted peanut varieties available for 2013 and calcium application
for peanuts. Tours of the UGA Tifton Campus were also held showcasing the biotech
lab, breeding program and the Future Farmstead at UGA’s National Environmentally
Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory.
During the awards ceremony the Georgia Peanut Commission and Bayer CropScience
presented the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award. 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. The 2013 winner is James Hitchcock Jr. of Tennille, Ga.
This year’s winner demonstrates volunteerism and service to agriculture
in his area. The winner developed his passion for farming while growing
up on a diversified row crop operation. Today the farming operation
consists of 1,365 acres of crops including peanuts, corn, soybeans and
hay. Hitchcock also raises 125 head of cattle.
On the farm Hitchcock utilizes variable rate lime on all crops. All
of the irrigation pivots use low pressure nozzles and most use electrical
irrigation pumps. In 2012, Hitchcock purchased two new pivots with wireless
technology to monitor from his smart phone. Hitchcock also uses GPS systems
to plant, spray and harvest more efficiently.
The Georgia Peanut Commission also presented awards to individuals
and businesses for their service to the peanut industry and promotion
of peanuts across the U.S. The award recipients are: Distinguished Service
Award – Jack Chastain, president of Doster Warehouse; Research and Education
Award – William Branch, University of Georgia peanut breeder; Media Award
– Douglas Enterprise; and a Special Award – Jonathan Williams, former
director of the USAID Peanut Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP).
At the close of the day, the presentation of the Grand Door Prize Package
donated by Kelley Manufacturing Company was presented to Ken Moore,
Blakely, Ga. and Keith Wynn, Ocilla, Ga. Moore received one season’s use
of a new
4-row or 6-row KMC peanut combine and Wynn received a season’s use
of a KMC peanut inverter. Amadas Industries also provided a Grower Door
Prize
of $10,000 off the purchase of a peanut combine to Joel Carter, Sylvester,
Ga. For photos and additional information on the Georgia Peanut Farm
Show visit the Georgia Peanut Commission Web site at www.gapeanuts.com.
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View
Georgia Peanut Farm Show photos.
- For more information
-
Joy Carter Crosby
Director of Communications
joycarter@gapeanuts.com
phone: (229) 386-3690
