The ninth annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is scheduled for July 15-17, at the Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla.

The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation is made up of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the Georgia Peanut Commission and the Mississippi Peanut Growers Association.

This year's conference offers farmers an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming farm bill, peanut research and promotions.

In addition to the conference sessions, the event focuses on the family by offering a kids' program and a spouses' program. These programs will be similar to previous conferences. There will also be a golf tournament on Tuesday afternoon.

Registration for the meeting will begin on Sunday, July 15, at 1 p.m., lasting until 7:30 p.m. at the Edgewater Beach Resort Conference Center. A welcoming reception will be held from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.

On Monday, July 16, beginning at 6:45 a.m., the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation will host a prayer breakfast.

General Session I — Peanuts & Politics: The Farm Bill begins at 8 a.m. on Monday and will feature U.S. Congressmen Collin Peterson, Allen Boyd and Sanford Bishop. The children's and spouses' programs begin at 10 a.m. on Monday.

General Session II — U.S. Agriculture & the Farm Bill will feature Dana Brooks of the American Farm Bureau. A panel will feature representatives from sugar and rice commodity groups and a Midwestern perspective.

Following a lunch buffet at noon, three breakout sessions will be presented at 1 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., with each session repeated at 2:15 p.m. Topics will include Session A: Seed Variety Outlook Seminar; Session B: Herbicide Resistance in Peanuts; and Session C: Burrower Bugs, Three-Cornered Alfalfa Hopper & Cutworms: What's Next?

Monday evening will be on your own in Panama City.

The Southern Peanut Growers Conference continues on Tuesday, July 18, with registration beginning at 6:45 a.m. and the Farm Press Peanut Profitability Awards Breakfast and Grower Panel set for 7 a.m. The awards will be presented this year to Bob McLendon, Southeast Region; Clint White, Southwest Region; and Todd Lewis, Upper Southeast Region.

Sponsors of this year's awards include EchoMuscle Fungicide, Golden Peanut Company, John Deere Company, Provost/Temik, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, Syngenta, Texas Peanut Producers Board, U.S. Borax, Southeast Farm Press and Southwest Farm Press.

This will be followed at 8:30 a.m. with the third general session, entitled Tomorrow's Horizons. Topics and presenters will include Peanuts & Genetic Modification: Rich Wilson and Peggy Ozias-Akins, and Peanuts & Biodiesel: Wilson Faircloth.

A children's and spouses' program will be held from 10 a.m. until noon.

The fourth general session, beginning at 10:30 a.m. will be entitled How Can I Grow Peanuts for a Profit? and will include a panel discussion.

Lunch will be on your own on Tuesday, with the afternoon free. A golf tournament will be held from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Hombre Golf Course. A reception will be held at 7 p.m. with dinner and entertainment to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Room reservations for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference can be made by contacting the Edgewater Beach Resort at 1-800-874-8686. When making hotel reservations, ask for the Southern Peanut Growers Conference rate.

For more information about the conference, contact the Georgia Peanut Commission at 229-386-3470, the Alabama Peanut Producers Association at 334-792-6482 or the Florida Peanut Producers Association at 850-526-2590.

You may register online at www.southernpeanutfarmers.org.