48th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show & Conference held at UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center

TIFTON, Ga. – While harvest season may not be on everyone’s minds right now, one group of farmers is preparing for the next growing season.

Peanut farmers are coming from across Georgia for the 48th annual Peanut Farm Show. And, this year’s show feels even more vital, due to a major hit to the industry.

In 2024, the Georgia peanut industry suffered roughly three billion dollars in losses thanks to the impact of Hurricane Helene…

Which is why peanut farmers are using the show to help bounce back.

“It’s a lot between the hurricane and then, you know, the suppressed prices that we’ve been having. This, it’s a lot I mean, this if some farmers I don’t know. I mean, it’s going to be tight if they’re going to be able to go again. If they do go again, it’s going to be real crucial as far as, you know, making sure everything’s right at planting…” said Ryan Ireland, Outstanding Young Peanut Farmer of the Year.

We got a chance to speak with farm show Chairman, Rodney Dawson about how Helene’s impact in 2024 is factoring into the farm show.

“…It’s an opportunity, you can come to see seminars. We have production seminars, to peanut specialists to give you reports on what they think of last year, what some of that downfall was. You know, and yields and everything. It’s a lot putting together and help you kick off the new year,” said Rodney Dawson, Farm show Chairman.

And as well, in the wake of Helene’s devastation last fall, being around fellow farmers and suppliers could be just what some need to get back on their feet with the 2025 growing season.

“You never know who you’re liable to run into some of these conventions and things. You know, you run into somebody who’s a banker or whatever, you know, that might be willing to help you, you know, cover up some debt, things like that, and, you know, come together with a plan to roll into another year,” said Ireland.

As the farm show wraps up, the Georgia Peanut Commission is hoping for a very prosperous rebound year.

Over 100 exhibitors were on-hand for this year’s farm show.

Brian Roche reporting.

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