For his longstanding dedication and leadership to the U.S. peanut industry and his sense of duty to get the most out of his peanut land using proven stewardship, Morris is the 2021 Farm Press Peanut Efficiency Award winner for the Lower Southeast.

It's hard to quantify cooperation, but on the Morris farm outside Irwinville, Ga., May 17, you could see it in action. Morris, 77, now rents out more acres. He typically finishes by May 17 planting his 250 or so irrigated peanut acres and 60 or so non-irrigated peanut acreage, but this year that was the date he started planting. Spring had been wet in his part of Georgia, pushing back wheat harvest and spring planting.

A few weeks prior, he had an unexpected health setback that hindered his mobility. He didn't feel well May 17, but he didn't complain. He joked more than anything. His family is no stranger to unexpected setbacks.