TIFTON, Georgia-- Peanut producers living in the Georgia Peanut Commission’s District 5 area will have the opportunity to elect a fellow peanut farmer to represent their interests during a mail ballot election to be held the month of April. Donald Chase of Macon County and Jimmy Thompson of Randolph County were nominated to fill the seat previously held by Wilbur Gamble of Terrell County. After serving on the board for 24 years, Gamble opted not to run for another term.

Chase and Thompson were nominated during a nomination meeting held December 17.

The Georgia Peanut Commission’s District 5 consists of Chattahoochee, Clay, Lee, Macon, Marion, Peach, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Talbot, Taylor, Terrell and Webster counties. All farmers who grew peanuts in the 2003 crop year in those counties are eligible to vote. Farmers not receiving a ballot may contact the GPC at 1-800-346-4993 or by email at info@gapeanuts.com.

Balloting concludes on April 30 with the votes to be counted by the Certified Public Accounting Firm of Allen, Pritchett, and Bassett in Tifton, Ga.

The Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors represents Georgia’s 5,000 peanut farmers. Current members on the board include Chairman Jimmy Cheney of Calhoun County, District 1;
Armond Morris of Irwin County, District 2; Commission Vice Chairman Joe Boddiford, Screven County, District 3 and Commission Treasurer Rodney Dawson of Pulaski County, District 4.