The Georgia Peanut Commission awarded University of Georgia
President Michael F. Adams their 2003 Peanut Research and
Education Award during their annual farm show and conference
Jan. 17 in Albany, Ga.

“We appreciate what President Adams and the University of
Georgia have done to improve and sustain our industry,” GPC
Chairman Armond Morris told the 1,200 conference participants.

“Their research, extension and development of new and improved
products, management strategies and cultivars have been critical
to our peanut producers,” Morris said. “The margin of profit now
has become so thin that without these contributions, we’d be in
trouble.”

Gale Buchanan, dean and director of the UGA College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, accepted the award for
Adams.

“He recognizes the role agriculture plays in our university and
the importance of agriculture in our state,” said Buchanan, who
was also the conference’s keynote speaker.

Last year, Buchanan said, Adams hosted one of four national
conferences formed to find and develop new funding opportunities
for agricultural research, extension and education.

“Communication is key with our federal and state legislators,”
Buchanan said. “We must use the technology we’ve developed to
become more efficient. We’re not doing enough in agricultural
research, and key issues affecting the peanut industry must have
additional funding to advance the type of research that must go
forward.”

He highlighted key areas — tomato spotted wilt virus, water,
insect and disease control and rotation — that need extensive
research attention.

Last year didn’t treat peanut farmers well. Untimely, severe
weather hurt the crop during planting, harvest and in between.

But there could be help on the way, said U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall
(D-Ga.). He said he felt Congress would approve more than $3
billion in disaster aid for U.S. farmers.

The senate approved the disaster aid as part of the 2003
appropriations bill Jan. 22.

Georgia farmers lost about $30 million worth of peanuts last
year, according to CAES estimates.

The GPC conducts programs in peanut promotion, research and
education. Its funding comes from a $2-per-ton assessment (this
year, about $1.4 million) on all Georgia peanut farmers. Georgia
produces almost 40 percent of the total U.S. peanut production.