The Georgia Peanut Commission Board of Directors will be holding a public hearing for peanut farmers to determine the need for increasing peanut assessments which fund programs of the commodity commission.

The hearing will be held Wed., Feb. 9 at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus, NESPAL on Rainwater Rd.

Currently, farmers invest $2 per ton to fund the projects of the commission, including promotion, research, education and communication.



"The commission surveyed growers during the 2010 county peanut production meetings to see if they would be in favor of an increase," says Armond Morris, GPC chairman. "Growers overwhelmingly showed a positive response to supporting an increase in the assessment."



According to state law, GPC will need to hold a public hearing. At the hearing the commission will receive testimony to determine if peanut farmers are willing to hold a referendum for an assessment increase. The hearing also helps direct the commission as to the specific needs and amount of increase to be considered.

On the referendum at least 25 percent of the producers must vote with a two-thirds majority vote needed for the increase to go into effect.



For additional information on the hearing and programs of the Georgia Peanut Commission visit http://www.gapeanuts.com or call 229-386-3470.