Congress Provides Economic, Disaster Assistance
On Dec. 21, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 10545 by a vote of 366-34 that included a continuing resolution for FY25 appropriations funding, a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, $10 billion in agricultural economic assistance and $21 billion in agricultural disaster assistance. The U.S. Senate then passed H.R. 10545 by a vote of 85-11, and President Biden signed the bill into law.
The United States Peanut Federation and other ag groups applaud Congress for including agricultural economic assistance and disaster assistance in the final passage of the appropriations legislation.
For many peanut producers, inclusion of these agricultural assistance provisions in the final legislation will determine whether they continue farming in 2025. USPF leaders are grateful to the peanut state members of Congress and other congressional agricultural leaders who worked to ensure these vital initiatives were secured in the final passage of the appropriations bill.
Peanut producers can expect to receive an estimated economic assistance payment of $76.30 per acre no later than 90 days after the bill is enacted.
Jamie Brown, USPF chairman, says, “We once again would like to extend our gratitude to all of our representatives who stayed steadfast in passing a resolution that would ensure our farmers can continue doing what they do so well — providing this country with the best possible food security in the world. We are thankful that they listened to so many who expressed the challenges that are being faced and have offered an opportunity to meet those challenges in the years to come.”
Joe Boddiford, Georgia Peanut Commission chairman, says, “After a few long, hard years for peanut farmers who were unsure if they would be able to continue farming in 2025, we are grateful to Congress for passing much-needed financial assistance. Thank you to the members of Congress who worked hard to ensure our farmers would receive relief. It’s a great day for families in rural America who work tirelessly to feed our nation.”
In Memoriam: Jimmy Carter, Georgia Peanut Farmer and 39th President of the United States
On Dec. 29, 2024, President Jimmy Carter passed away in his beloved Plains, Georgia, home at 100 years old. A world leader who never lost touch with his humble beginnings and was quick to credit growing up on a peanut farm with teaching him important lessons for his future work. Tributes came from around the globe, but also from the industry that still counted him as an ardent supporter. The American Peanut Council wrote the following:
Today, the American Peanut Council joins the nation and the world in celebrating the amazing life and contributions of Jimmy Carter, Georgia peanut farmer and 39th President of the United States. President Carter is widely known for his achievements in politics, human rights advocacy and diplomacy. However, before he became president, he had a successful career in the peanut industry. President Carter was quoted as saying, ‘The things I learned from being a peanut farmer put me in good stead throughout my life’s work.’
President Carter had been an ardent supporter of the American Peanut Council. Through the years, he was generous with his time, graciously meeting with many international trade delegations and sharing his knowledge about peanut farming and the industry. These gatherings always proved to be the highlight of the tours and a cherished memory for participants. Overall, President Carter’s contributions helped promote the peanut industry, and his work helped to showcase the peanut as an important crop in the United States and around the world.
Carter grew up on a peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, and after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and serving in the Navy, he returned to manage his family’s farm supply business and several hundred acres of land. Carter later decided that instead of just buying and reselling certified seed as his father had done in his business, it would be more profitable if he grew the peanut seed himself. The increased income enabled him to expand the family warehouse operation. Carter’s warehouse not only included the sale of certified seed peanuts, custom peanut shelling and the buying and storing of peanuts, but it included the service of supplying other farm inputs necessary for peanut production.
After their return from the White House, the Carters reassessed their land use. Expanding on their commitment to good land stewardship, the Carters managed their land to be economically productive and to provide wildlife and recreation. They not only set a good example, but they used their position to amplify the importance of stewardship, reforestation, conservation and protection of the environment.
President Jimmy Carter’s remarkable journey from a humble peanut farmer, to a global statesman and environmental advocate is a testament to his enduring legacy of leadership and service. His profound connection to the peanut industry and his lifelong dedication to stewardship and sustainability continue to inspire generations. As we honor his extraordinary life and contributions, we are reminded of the values he exemplified—hard work, humility and a deep commitment to making the world a better place.
One-Year Farm Bill Extension
A plan to avert a partial government shutdown in December included $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers and a one-year extension of the Farm Bill.
The bill also included more than $100 billion in funding for disaster relief after Hurricanes Helene and Milton battered the Southeast. The bill extends Fiscal Year 2024 government funding through March 14.
Without this legislation, most government agencies would have shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Reporters in Washington D.C. said that agricultural aid was a key sticking point, and the agreement came only after some congressmen threatened to vote against it unless farm economic aid was included.
“It’s good for now,” U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) says, noting rural Republicans were seeking more funding for the economic assistance portion than was passed in the final package. “It’s a bridge.”
Democrats made a last-minute push to incorporate $14 billion in agriculture conservation funding from the Inflation Reduction Act into the Farm Bill baseline. However, this idea was rejected.
During negotiations, Thompson argued, “The failure to include economic assistance will have devastating and lasting consequences on our farm families, the rural communities in which they live and American agriculture.
For that reason, we intend to oppose any supplemental spending package that does not provide meaningful assistance to our farmers. Our farmers work too hard and risk it all each year so we can have the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world. They deserve our help now.”
DeLorenzo Elected APC Chair
The American Peanut Council has named a new chair to lead its board of directors. Anne-Marie DeLorenzo, senior strategic sourcing manager at Mars Wrigley, will serve the 2025 term. She was elected at APC meeting during the organization’s Insights Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
“We are excited to have Anne-Marie at the helm of APC’s board of directors,” said APC President and CEO Richard Owen. “She’s been a real champion for the industry and her relationships within the peanut community are deep, which will serve her well as she leads the organization this coming year.”
DeLorenzo has spent more than 30 years with Mars, Inc., holding a variety of positions within procurement. In her current role, she is responsible for sourcing peanuts. She has been recognized as Mars’ Sustainability Champion in 2013 and has received regional Make the Difference awards in 2011, 2013 and 2018 and the global Make the Difference in 2019 – one of the highest honors bestowed on a Mars associate. In 2017, she won the Global Procurement Leaders Award for External Collaboration. She resides in Wilmington, North Carolina, and has two daughters and three grandchildren.
“I am honored to be the chairwoman of the American Peanut Council, an organization that represents one of America’s most cherished and versatile crops,” says DeLorenzo. “Together, we will continue to champion sustainability and the global appreciation of peanuts, while supporting the farmers, manufacturers and communities that make this industry thrive.”
DeLorenzo succeeds 2024 APC chair, Georgia grower Donald Chase. Other officers include vice-chair: Clint Piper, Golden Peanut, and secretary/treasurer, Collins McNeill of M.C. McNeill & Co.
The remainder of APC’s 2025 executive committee includes: Tim Burch, Georgia Peanut Commission; Chris Chammoun, American Peanut Shellers Association; Donald Chase, Georgia Peanut Commission; Ashley Collins, North Carolina Peanut Growers Association; Mike Davis, Olam Peanut Shelling; Lauren Flexon, Luray Peanut Company; Greg Harnish, Birdsong Peanuts; Casey Cox Kerr, National Peanut Board; Brian Reed, The JM Smucker Company; Rachel Santos, Premium Peanut; Joel Sirmon, Alabama Peanut Producers Association and Larry Don Womack, Texas Peanut Producers Board.
NPB Officers Announced
A new slate of officers was elected at the December meeting of the National Peanut Board. Casey Cox Kerr of Georgia is chair, Neal Baxley of South Carolina is vice chairman, Jeff Roper of Texas is treasurer and Thomas Adams of Alabama is secretary. Kerr previously served as vice chairman, Roper as treasurer and Baxley as secretary. Officer terms began Jan. 1, 2025, and run through Dec. 31, 2025. Greg Baltz, 2024 chairman, will continue to serve on the board as Arkansas’ member through Dec. 31, 2025.
“I am honored to serve as chair of the National Peanut Board,” says Casey Cox Kerr. “I look forward to working closely with NPB CEO Ryan Lepicier and the board, particularly as we develop our 2026 Strategic Plan for the ultimate benefit of America’s peanut farmers.”
During the meeting, the board accepted a motion to alter its committee structure to improve efficiency. Beginning with the next meeting, the board’s committees are executive, promotions, research and finance & policy. The nominations committee will become ad hoc, and strategic planning will be served by the executive committee.
The next meeting of the National Peanut Board will be March 10-13, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Funds For Export Promotion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program grants and the allocation of $300 million for expanding American food and agricultural exports in emerging global markets. This latest investment brings total funding to $600 million in 2024.
The new grants aim to diversify export markets in regions with rising consumer demand and purchasing power, including Africa, Latin America/the Caribbean and South/Southeast Asia. These regions offer significant opportunities for U.S. producers seeking to establish a stronger foothold in dynamic and growing markets.
“RAPP is a critical tool for helping U.S. producers and agribusinesses stay competitive in today’s global trading environment,” says previous Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack under the Biden-Harris administration.
The American Peanut Council is expected to receive $3.5 million to promote peanuts.