Mr. Peanut is Probably a Texan

By Laura Duclos

Texas is the fourth largest peanut producer in the United States, and a lot of peanut farms are on the nearby plains.

The Texas Peanut Producers Board, located in Lubbock, is a group of peanut farmers from across the state that promotes awareness for its crops. Hallie Bertrand, director of communications for TPPB, said the group is known as a check-off organization, which means they receives $2 from every ton of peanuts sold in the state. That money is then put towards research, education and promotion of peanuts in order to help farmers succeed.

“It’s so important that our board is made up of farmers,” Bertrand said. “They’re spread across the state so that they know what’s going on in their area and in their community, so farmers can then go to them and say, ‘Hey, next time you’re in a board meeting, this is a concern I’m having that needs to be brought up.’”

Ricky Bearden, a peanut farmer in Yoakum county, has grown peanuts since 2000 and said he enjoys growing the crop and hopes the rest of the country enjoys consuming them.

“I feel very fortunate that I live in this part of the country and get to do something I like,” Bearden said. “Hopefully the rest of the United States realizes that this is a very viable industry that we have and that it’s important.”

Bertrand explained that though farmers grow their crops individually, they work together to get the peanut to the consumer.

“The way the industry is set up – they may be grown in Texas, shelled in Texas – but they could be shipped to a manufacturer in Tennessee and turned into peanut M&Ms,” Bertrand said. “It’s just about the market and where it’s needed and where it’s going. It’s not vertically integrated in that way.”

She said it is important that manufacturers, peanut purchasers and importers know when they purchase Texas peanuts, they will be receiving high-quality peanuts.

“We aren’t selling a product, necessarily,” Bertrand added. “We aren’t selling peanut butter that was grown in Texas. We’re just trying to get people to eat peanuts in general.”

About JOUR 3312