Georgia’s Peanut Authority

Georgia is far and away the nation’s leading peanut producer, with annual production greater than the next six states combined.One of their leading voices is Tyron Spearman, who has been working in a variety of different jobs in the peanut industry for more than 50 years. His resume includes a decade as Executive Director of the Georgia Peanut Commission, President of the American Peanut Council, heading up the Peanut Farm Market News publication, and manager of the National Peanut Buying Points Association.  Interestingly, the association’s founder was peanut farmer, America’s 39th President, and Nobel Prize winner, Jimmy Carter.Spearman said the industry continues to explore new uses for peanuts, including using peanut oil for future jet fuel and to help bolster nutrition of eggs and chicken meat. Georgia produces about three billion pounds of peanuts a year, more than half of the U.S. crop.Spearman has single-handedly grilled countless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches over the decades as an ambassador for the industry.