Saxby Chambliss: “I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Georgia Peanut Commission. In 1961, Georgia peanut farmers came…”

“I rise to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Georgia Peanut Commission. In 1961, Georgia peanut farmers came together to form a commission that would promote their industry, perform research, educate the community, and conduct outreach around the State. Thus, the Georgia Peanut Commission was born. We have come a long ways since 1961. As we celebrate this 50th anniversary, it is important to note that Georgia peanut farmers in 1961 harvested 475,000 acres of peanuts with an average yield of 1,200 pounds per acre. But thanks to the evolution of technology and techniques and the hard work and the innovation of Georgia's peanut farmers, farmers in 2011 in Georgia harvested the same amount of land with a yield of more than 3,500 pounds per acre. Agricultural producers face a combination of challenges, including unpredictable weather and market volatility that determine profit or loss in any given year. Through the Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia peanut farmers have persevered through the hardships. Georgia leads the Nation in peanut production, producing nearly 50 percent of our Nation's annual crop. Anyone who has ever stopped by a congressional office on Capitol Hill and taste-tested the complimentary peanuts we offer can thank the Georgia Peanut Commission. Those little red bags are recognized by hungry constituents and staffers alike as a symbol of Georgia agriculture. Annually, the commission distributes 2 million of those little red bags.…”