One of the greatest challenges for me is to communicate with the farmer members so that I understand the industry from their viewpoint. Early visits and phone calls to GPPA leaders helped him identify goals and strategies for the coming year. That means consensus-building. We've got to go to Washington with a unified voice saying, 'This is where the peanut industry stands. But they are our bread and butter.
Peanuts are essential to the agricultural industry in the Southeast.
Making sure Georgia's goobers get a fair shake on Capitol Hill means creating and strengthening strategic alliances within the industry and with agri-business, Yoder said. GPPA is on the fast-track in that respect, thanks to its Associate Board of Directors. Yoder is also enthusiastic about the way the industry is aligning behind key issues. For example, growers, sellers, buyers and associates understand the importance of promotion and research for the peanut industry. Increasingly, peanut farmers will find that to grow their profits, they'll need cutting edge technology and research, Yoder predicted.