Nutty News
TPPB seeks nominees for national board
The Texas Peanut Producers Board seeks eligible peanut producers who are interested in serving on the National Peanut Board.
TPPB will hold a nominations election to select two nominees each for member and alternate to the National Peanut Board during its board meeting on March 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Texas Tech Club, 2508 6th St., in Lubbock.
All eligible peanut producers are encouraged to participate. Eligible producers are those who are engaged in the production and sale of peanuts and who own or share the ownership and risk of loss of the crop.
Bob White of Clarendon is the current National Peanut Board member representing Texas, and Peter Froese Jr. of Seminole serves as the alternate. The term for the current Texas board member and alternate expires Dec. 31, 2012.
USDA requires two nominees from each state for each position of member and alternate. The National Peanut Board will submit Texas’ slate of nominees to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who makes the appointments.
The National Peanut Board encourages inclusion of persons of any race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. NPB encourages all persons who qualify as peanut producers to attend the meeting and run for nomination.
It is USDA’s policy that membership on industry-government boards and committees accurately reflect the diversity of individuals served by the programs.
Four directors elected to TPPB
The Texas Peanut Producers Board elected or re-elected four board directors during elections held in January. Each person elected will serve a six year term, or until the year 2018.
Scott Nolen of Seminole was elected to serve his first term on the board in Voting Region One, which consists of West Texas and the Western Panhandle. In Voting Region Two, which includes of the Eastern Panhandle and Rolling Plains, Clint White of Vernon was re-elected to his seat and Pat White of Wellington was elected for his first term. Grayson Wilmeth of Dilley was elected to serve his first term on the board for Voting Region Four, the southern peanut-producing area.
Prior to the elections, TPPB divided the state into four separate voting regions. These voting regions allow for board directors to more closely represent the peanut interests of a particular region of the state, and to provide representation for all Texas peanut producers on the board. As there are 12 board seats on TPPB, the voting regions are designed for 10 of the 12 seats to represent a percentage of peanut production in Texas as reported by the Texas Crop Reporting Service, with the remaining two seats being at large and representing the entire state. The Texas Department of Agriculture approved the voting region plan and ratified the election.
The four board members will be sworn in during TPPB's spring board meeting in Lubbock by Lance Williams, Texas Department of Agriculture.
News releases and legal notices on the election were sent to all major newspapers in the state where elections occurred. The voting period was from January 9, 2012 to January 23, 2012.
The next election will be in 2014 with four seats up for election.
Lubbock community donates peanut butter to hungry
2011 TPPB & Chamber peanut butter drive a success
TPPB, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, South Plains Food Bank and Sunland, Inc., a peanut butter company in Portales, N.M., launched a drive in honor of National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month in November, and collected more than 1,200 pounds of peanut butter to feed hungry families across the South Plains.
“TPPB teamed with the chamber and asked the community to donate money to the drive,” said Shelly Nutt, TPPB executive director. “Sunland worked out a special price to the cause, so we could purchase the peanut butter at a greatly discounted price – a generous contribution considering the limited peanut supply and high demand for the product.”
TPPB made the drive’s final donation at the beginning of January, enabling the drive to reach its goal of purchasing one palette of peanut butter, or 1,680 jars.
“Texas peanut farmers are dedicated to providing a delicious and nutritious food source to American consumers,” Nutt said. “We’re proud to support causes like this that put a nutritious product in hands of fellow Texans in need.”
Not only does peanut butter boast a taste as big as Texas, it is loaded with more than 30 essential nutrients. Because peanut butter is loaded with energy and rich in protein, it is an affordable alternative to more expensive protein sources – making it a product perfect for families and individuals facing financial hardships.
“We are excited the drive had another successful year, and hope this annual program will only continue to grow in the future,” Nutt concluded. “This is the perfect example of communities coming together to help neighbors in need.”
Although this peanut butter drive has ended, TPPB still encourages Texans to connect with their local food bank and donate peanut butter to help their fellow Texans.
