115. Everything You Didn't Know About Peanuts with Dena Malsom of the National Peanut Board

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops! In this episode, Jena and Mary Pat are joined by Dena Malsom, Chief Marketing Officer at the National Peanut Board, for a fascinating conversation that busts myths, shares surprising facts, and explores the story of this humble but mighty crop.📌 What We Cover in This Episode:✅ Meet Dena Malsom & her journey from corporate marketing to the National Peanut Board.✅ Peanut Farming 101: How peanuts are grown (spoiler: underground!) and why they're so sustainable.✅ The role of a commodity board in research, production, and consumer marketing.✅ Why peanuts are a zero-waste, nitrogen-fixing, and water-efficient crop.✅ Busting common myths about peanut nutrition and origins.✅ The "Health Nut Club" initiative and strategies for engaging Gen Z consumers.✅ Surprising and creative ways to eat peanuts (think pickles, fries, and breakfast sandwiches!).✅ The surprisingly small number of farmers behind this mighty American crop.✅ A global perspective on peanut consumption and America's unique love for peanut butter.💡 Key Takeaways:✨ Peanuts are a surprisingly sustainable superfood, functioning as a zero-waste plant with low water usage and natural nitrogen-fixing properties that enrich the soil.✨ The U.S. peanut industry is powered by a small but mighty group of only ~7,000 farmers who produce enough to feed the nation and beyond.✨ Connecting with younger generations, like Gen Z, by highlighting sustainability, health benefits, and the story behind the food is crucial for the future of the crop.✨ When you choose peanuts or peanut butter, you're choosing a food that is good for you and good for the planet.This episode of Beyond the Crops is brought to you by Beck's Hybrids. As farmers, we pour so much trust into every decision. That's why we're proud to partner with Beck's Hybrids, a company built on faith, family, and a love for agriculture since 1937. Learn more at beckshybrids.com.🙌 Join the Conversation!What’s your favorite or most surprising way to eat peanuts or peanut butter? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. Links You'll Want After Listening: NPB website: National Peanut BoardHealth Nut Club: Join the Health Nut Club: Promoting On-the-Go Wellness with PeanutsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nationalpeanutboard/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalpeanutboardLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-peanut-board#Peanuts #NationalPeanutBoard #FarmLife #SustainableFarming #BeyondTheCropsPodcast #WomenInAg #AgMarketing #FarmHer #KnowYourFarmer #PeanutButter #Sponsored #BecksHybridsThank you to the sponsor of this episode, Fieldview. Both Jena and MP have used Fieldview on their farms for the past several years and it's been an integral data and decision making tool for their operations. Check them out here