TIFTON, Ga.—Georgia peanut farmers reaffirmed the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) by a vote of 82 percent during the recent referendum, held April 15 through May 15.

“I appreciate the farmer’s confidence in the commission and we are committed to continue earning that confidence,” says Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Ocilla, Ga. and chairman of the GPC.

As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers the week of April 15 and the Certified Public Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett counted the ballots returned on May 22.

“ A strong majority of our farmers understand the challenges we face with a new farm bill. The commission represents all peanut farmers in Georgia,” says Don Koehler, GPC’s executive director. “We recognize that 18 percent of our producers had concerns over continuation of the GPC and we make a commitment to work for all farmers and strengthen our support base.”

Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton each year to the commission that is used in the program areas of research, education, promotion and communication.