TIFTON, Georgia– Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Ocilla, Ga., was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the January monthly board meeting. This is Morris’ seventh term as chairman of the commission. He has also served as chairman of the board previously in 1996, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 and in 2007.

“I look forward to serving Georgia’s peanut growers as chairman in 2008. It is a pleasure to serve peanut producers in the state of Georgia and the commission is continually working to serve all peanut farmers in the state,” Morris says. “The commission will continue to work with the House and Senate peanut leaders to ensure that we get the best possible peanut provisions for Georgia’s producers. We are encouraging conferees to use the Senate peanut provisions and the new permanent disaster and peanut rotation programs.”

Other officers elected during the board meeting include Joe Boddiford, Sylvania, Ga., as vice chairman and Rodney Dawson, Hawkinsville, Ga., as treasurer.

Board members Tim Burch, Newton, Ga. and Donald Chase, Oglethorpe, Ga. represent District 1 and District 5, respectively. The peanut producing counties of Georgia are divided into five districts in which peanut farmers elect a representative to serve on the Georgia Peanut Commission board.