TIFTON, Georgia– Peanut farmers from across Georgia and neighboring states attended the 31st Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show to see the latest in farming technologies. The one-day show kicked off Thursday morning in Albany, Ga., and offered farmers the opportunity to visit with more than 65 exhibitors.

Throughout the day farmers also had the opportunity to learn about crop management through the University of Georgia Peanut Seminars. The seminars focused on cultivar options, weed and insect management, water conservation, diseases and the overall cost of production.

“No one left the farm show without learning something new and useful,” says Rodney Dawson, Georgia Peanut Farm Show chairman. “Farmers attending learned the latest in technologies and crop management that will help them in finding ways to reduce their production costs and increase their bottom line.”

In addition to the exhibits and educational seminars, GPC presented awards to several individuals and organizations during the morning awards ceremony. The awards are as follows:

Distinguished Service Award- John Beasley, professor and extension peanut agronomist in the Crop and Soil Sciences Department of the University of Georgia, receives this year’s Georgia Peanut Distinguished Service Award. Beasley is based out of the Tifton office and he is responsible for extension educational programs in peanut agronomics. His priority is to develop educational programs and utilize technology transfer methods to deliver peanut production information to county extension agents and peanut producers in Georgia.

This award is presented annually to an individual or an organization in recognition of outstanding achievement, superior leadership and exceptional service to Georgia’s peanut growers and peanut industry.

Research and Education Award- The Georgia Peanut Research and Education Award is presented this year to J. Leek Associates, Inc. which was formed in 1990 as a technical services organization providing strategic quality assurance systems in the food and beverage industry. JLA has four Integrated Independent Member Companies located in USA, Argentina, Brazil and China. JLA worldwide now offers a full line of agricultural, analytical, and microbiological services, along with process and product development support. JLA provides services in agronomy, agricultural economics, statistical quality control, analytical systems, and food safety and manufacturing.

On behalf of JLA, Darlene Cowart, president and chief operating officer of JLA USA, accepted the award during the Georgia Peanut Farm Show. Cowart is responsible for managing and developing the JLA USA business in the area of peanuts and her current focus is developing strategies for long-term growth of the company into other food businesses. Her other responsibilities include operations and managing areas of financials, technical service, consulting, quality assurance and customer service.

Georgia Peanut Media Award- Dal Cannady has been a reporter and Bureau Chief at WTOC TV in Savannah since 1996, but he has been a reporter in southeast Georgia since 1990. He’s won awards from the Associated Press for news and sports coverage.

Cannady’s agriculture coverage has been exceptional at WTOC helping to explain the importance of food and fiber production and agriculture’s stability to the U.S. economy. Cannady also reports on a variety of agriculture topics relevant to farmers in Southeast Georgia. At WTOC, Dal travels across South Georgia every day and covers agriculture issues from the issues affecting many of Georgia’s crops like weather and labor and legislation to the annual Sunbelt Expo.

At the close of the day, Al Breedlove, peanut farmer from Dawson, Ga., became the lucky winner of $2,500 cash and one season’s use of a 4-row or 6-row peanut combine, valued at $10,000, donated by Kelley Manufacturing Company. L.R. Hasty of Malone, Fla. received a certificate from Amadas Industries for $10,000 off towards the purchase of a self-propelled peanut combine.