PEANUT MARKETING NEWS – April 26, 2021 – Tyron Spearman, Editor (47)

GROWING CARBON CREDITS DOWN ON THE FARM - The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday unanimously
advanced a bipartisan bill to support agricultural carbon markets, picking up even more support on both sides of the aisle in recent
days. The Growing Climate Solutions Act, S. 1251 (117), now has 42 cosponsors, with 20 Democrats and 22 Republicans,
according to a list shared by Sen. Mike Braun. (SOURCE-POL)
The bill would direct USDA to start a certifying budding carbon credit programs to pay farmers to capture carbon dioxide
and sequester it soil and forestland. At the hearing, the bill was praised by Democrats and Republicans on the committee and faced
little debate before being approved.
“This really is a win-win situation and a real opportunity for our farmers, ranchers and foresters,” said Senate Agriculture
Chair Debbie Stabenow, who is leading the bill with Braun.
The committee moved quickly to advance the legislation after lengthy negotiations yielded support from Senate
Agriculture ranking member John Boozman, who had been skeptical of the effort and sought changes to the bill, including more
farmer and rancher oversight. Republicans are increasingly falling in line behind the bill, including conservatives like Sen. Tommy
Tuberville.
The bill has overwhelming backing from farm and agribusiness groups, food companies, major environmental groups and
think tanks across the ideological spectrum. Grassley of Iowa said he wanted to ensure transparency on any fees taken by
middlemen in the markets and address the issue of how to reward farmers that have long adopted climate-friendly practices.
The goal is to do a stand-alone bill, before the August recess, because of the broad support behind it.
SEEKING BIDS ON PEANUT BUTTER – USDA Ag Marketing Service is seeking bids for 530,145,000 pounds of smooth
peanut butter for domestic food distribution plus 285,120,000 pounds of in-shell unsalted peanuts. Bids are due by May 4, 2021 and
include smooth peanut butter in 18 oz jars, and regular smooth peanut butter in 16 oz jars. Solicitation Information Contact: Name:
Cheryl Davis Telephone Number: 816-926-3377. E-mail: cheryla.davis@usda.gov.
GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION GET 94.4% APPROVAL - The Georgia Peanut Commission’s referendum received
reaffirmation with a vote of 94.43 percent, the highest the commission has received in its nearly 60-year existence. The 2021
referendum was held March 15 through April 16, 2021. As required by Georgia state law, the state’s peanut farmers vote on the
commission every three years. The ballots were mailed to peanut growers the week of March 15 and the Certified Public
Accounting firm of Allen, Pritchett and Bassett counted the ballots returned on April 23.
“Our staff is humbled by the support of peanut farmers in Georgia,” says Don Koehler, GPC’s executive director. “We will
continue to seek opportunities through programs in research, education and promotion to enhance profit opportunities on the farm.”
“I am thankful our board and staff have been able to work in the areas of research, promotion and education of peanuts, as
well as support efforts in Washington to maintain legislation that is helpful for peanut farmers, which in turn, continues to allow us
to provide a healthy, nutritious product for consumers,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission.
Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton annually to the commission to be used in the program areas of research,
promotion, and education. For additional information, visit www.gapeanuts.com.
REMINDER – USA PEANUT CONGRESS - Make plans to join us for the 2021 USA Peanut Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana
– Monday, June 28th - Thursday, July 1st. Take advantage of early bird registration rates, available until May 7 th. APSA & APC
officials are working on an exciting program, and we are looking forward to safely reconvening and reconnecting in person this
June. There are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved – for more Congress information, including sponsorship and expo
details and social event registration, visit the event page by clicking HERE.
The meeting will be held at the historic Roosevelt Hotel, and rooms are still available but will not last long! Make your
reservations by clicking HERE.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE BELT -
PQ MAGAZINE - The spring 2021 edition of PQ magazine is in the mail from the National Peanut Board. This edition features
the 20-25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Big News for Baby), Cost of Peanut Production, Connecting Through the Pandemic
and “Making Every Bite Count.” To get a copy, email: peanuts@NationalPeanutBoard.org.
SUTTER TO RETIRE – As previously announced, now confirmed by the Southeast Farm Press, Bob Sutter, executive director
of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association of 28 years is retiring July 31, 2021. The search committee plans to have a
replacement by July 1. He mentions major happenings in 28 years; the end of the peanut quota, the formation of the National Peanut
Board, a dramatic increase in yields, and the introduction of High-Oleic peanuts. He sees a bright future; varieties will continue to
improve; the peanut allergy issue will be successfully addressed, and demand will continue to be strong for Virginia type peanuts.
He is currently still working and can be reached at sutter@aboutpeanuts.com.