For Dennis and Katrine Spruill, the key to efficiency depends  on making sure each expense offers a return on investment while doing all they can to build yields.

The strategy works. The Spruills of Como, N.C. are the 2019 Peanut Efficiency Award winners for the upper Southeast. Another key to efficiency for the family is emphasizing team work and getting the help and support of others to get the job done.

While the Spruilsl emphasize that managing expenses is an important key to efficiency, they say  better peanut varieties today and the better crop protection products now available are vital to their  success.

Dennis has been farming fulltime near Como, North Carolina since graduating from high school in 1978. Wife Katrine has farmed with him since they were married in 1981. Son Denton, 32, has been a part of the operation for 10 years now. The family farms land in both Hertford County, N.C. and across the state line in Southampton County, Virginia.