TIFTON — The Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors has approved $764,189 in research project funding for the 2025-26 research budget year. 

This action was taken during the commission’s March board meeting, according to a press release from the commission. The research projects approved include 40 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Kennesaw State University, North Carolina State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Several of the UGA projects will be associated with the UGA Tifton campus.

“As a peanut grower, I’m proud to invest in the Georgia Peanut Commission and in the future of the peanut industry by supporting research that continues to demonstrate a return on our investment,” says Donald Chase, GPC Research Committee chairman. “We are proud of our partnership with research institutions and look forward to seeing the results which will benefit farmers in the state and enhance the sustainability of our crop.”

Georgia’s peanut growers invest $2 per ton annually toward GPC programs which includes research, promotion and education. The research programs primarily focus on peanut breeding, conservation methods, irrigation and water management, as well as pests, weed and disease management.

The GPC board of directors approved additional projects focusing on non-food uses of peanuts, the commission said. The projects aim to provide a new opportunity for growth within the peanut industry. The new projects are looking at utilizing normal-oleic peanuts in poultry feed, an economic feasibility and performance evaluation of pasture-raised broiler chickens in peanut-based farming systems and converting peanut oil from a non-drying oil to a drying oil for timber oils and coatings.  

Additionally, GPC manages funding for the Southeastern Peanut Research Initiative which includes research funding of $1,460,202 for projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. These projects are funded through the National Peanut Board checkoff dollars from farmers.

For additional information and a complete list of the research projects funded by the Georgia Peanut Commission visit www.gapeanuts.com.