Planters Honors Sustainable Peanut Farmers
Planters’ inaugural Naturally Remarkable Planters Awards are designed to celebrate American peanut farmers who are implementing sustainable practices and making positive social changes in their local communities.
“The Naturally Remarkable Planters Awards is our way of celebrating and supporting America’s farmers who are making innovative and impactful changes in how peanuts are grown,” said Steve Dumas, Planters senior associate brand manager and sustainability lead. “Peanuts naturally give back to the earth and the environmental strides these farmers are making help provide inspiration for Planters’ own sustainability journey.”
The awards program is a collaboration between Planters, the National Peanut Board and peanut shellers. A panel of judges from the peanut industry, including agriculture academics and representatives from the National Peanut Board and USDA, will select three regional award winners, representing the Southeast, Virginia-Carolinas and Southwest.
“We welcome the opportunity to support the efforts of Planters in recognizing America’s peanut farmers,” said Marshall Lamb, research leader for the USDA’s National Peanut Research Lab. “These farmers are taking great strides in employing sustainable production practices, embracing new technologies and supporting local communities and are a great example of American agricultural success and environmental stewardship.”
Planters is accepting award nominations through April 15. Entries will be judged on three key criteria: sustainability, effectiveness and originality.
Each of the three winners will receive a three-day trip to New York City for themselves and up to three family members to attend a Planters Grove event and award ceremony in August. They will also receive a donation of $10,000 in their name towards a project to revitalize community land in the location of their choice.
The awards are an integral component of the Planters “Naturally Remarkable” tour, which kicked off in February to encourage Americans to grow stronger communities through service and conservation. Along with the awards program, Planters will transform unused land into Planters Groves —peanut-shaped recreational spaces designed by renowned landscape architect Ken Smith. Four Planters Groves are planned for New Orleans, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and New York City.
For more information, visit www.PlantersAwards.com.
Planters, America’s leading snack nut brand, offers a diverse portfolio of plant-based snacks such as peanuts, cashews, almonds and other nuts. The brand is owned by Kraft Foods Inc.