TIFTON, Ga. — More than 1,600 producers were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the 36th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Jan. 19, 2012, at the Albany Civic Center in Albany, Ga. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission in cooperation with the University of Georgia.

The Georgia Peanut Commission and Bayer CropScience presented the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award during the show. 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 2012 winner is Brad Thompson of Donalsonville, Ga.

The winner developed his passion for farming while working with his grandfather, father and uncle at 3R Thompson Farms. He grew his first crop in 1993 and since then he has grown to just over 1,000 acres. The farming operation consists of 1,050 acres of crops including peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans and wheat.

Thompson is currently participating in the Peanut Leadership Academy. He was recently recognized as the 2010 Seminole County Farm Family of the Year and won high yield awards with the Georgia Peanut Achievement Club and National Corn Growers Association Yield Contest.

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 – Frank Bodiford, retired director of the Georgia Federal State Inspection Service, and Joan Sutton Underwood, retired advertising manager of the Georgia Peanut Commission; Research and Education Award – Mark Manary, founder of Project Peanut Butter; Media Award – Josephine Bennett of Georgia Public Broadcasting; and a Special Award – Georgia Peanut Festival in Sylvester, Ga.

The one-day show offered farmers a full day to view the products and services of 85 exhibitors and a day of education. The University of Georgia Peanut Team presented an educational peanut production seminar during the morning focusing on peanut cultivars, managing white mold, pigweed control, insect management and marketing options for 2012. During the afternoon, an industry seed seminar was held. The seed seminar highlighted peanut varieties available for 2012, calcium sources and timing of application for peanuts, planting date strategies, and ways to reduce seed planting costs.

At the close of the day, the presentation of the Grand Door Prize donated by Kelley Manufacturing Company was presented to Preston Odom of Arlington, Ga. He received one season’s use of a new 4-row or 6-row KMC peanut combine. Amadas Industries also provided a Grower Door Prize of $10,000 off the purchase of a peanut combine to Rex Wilson of Ashburn, Ga.

For photos and additional information on the Georgia Peanut Farm Show visit the Georgia Peanut Commission Web site at www.gapeanuts.com.