By Silvia Flores
As more than 7,000 peanut-farming families moved into harvest season, the National Peanut Board (NPB), in collaboration with Georgia Peanuts, hosted the 2025 Harvest Tour. This year’s tour brought together an influential group of food-industry professionals, registered dietitians, and culinary leaders representing organizations such as Sodexo, Harvard University Dining, The J.M. Smucker Co., and major school districts across the country.
The four-day event provided a rare, immersive look at the full peanut journey from farm to table. Participants met the farmers, innovators, and food producers who bring peanuts from the soil to shelves around the world.
The first stop was Echols County, where attendees toured Bo Corbett’s family farm. Corbett, a seventh-generation peanut farmer who also grows corn, cotton, and tobacco and raises beef cattle, shared his story of stewardship and growth.
“We started with 200 acres and we’re at 700 acres now. It’s all about our family, our community—everything starts at the farm,” Corbett said. “Without us, the grocery stores would not exist.”
At the Corbett family farm, participants saw peanuts being harvested and learned about the sustainability practices that define peanut production. Corbett explained how peanuts naturally enrich the soil and require less water than many other crops, while research continues to advance more resilient varieties. “If you’re a farmer, you love the land, you love the dirt,” said his mother, Angie Corbett. “You work hard to preserve it and take care of it.”
On the second day, attendees visited McKinnon Farms, where Ashley Smith, Coffee County extension agent, shared how growers are recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The stop emphasized the resilience and sense of community within Georgia’s peanut industry.
During a tour of Douglas Peanut & Grain Co., participants learned about the drying and storage process that bridges farms and shelling facilities. “I’ve really enjoyed being part of this industry and helping farmers,” said Dalton Bennett, manager at Douglas Peanut & Grain Co. “We’re the intermediary between the shelling plant and the farmer. It’s good to play a role in helping local growers.”
One of the highlights of the tour was a special chef-curated dinner led by Chef Duane Nutter, renowned for his creative use of peanuts in modern cuisine. The evening showcased the culinary versatility of peanuts across appetizers, main courses, and desserts, demonstrating their potential as a premium ingredient in foodservice and restaurant applications.
Participants also visited Mana Nutrition, a facility that transforms peanuts into ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a life-saving product that has nourished more than 8 million children worldwide. “The work we do is nothing short of inspirational to me,” said Allen Galbraith, director of operations at Mana Nutrition. “We take a peanut grown locally and turn it into a life-saving medication, for lack of a better term.”
Post-tour survey results show exceptionally strong engagement and enthusiasm from participants, with all respondents rating their overall experience a 5 out of 5. The education session ranked as the most impactful activity, followed closely by the visit to the Corbett family farm and the MANA Nutrition tour.
Ninety percent of participants reported they are likely to increase their use of peanuts in their work as a direct result of the tour. Attendees left the Harvest Tour inspired by the innovation, sustainability and collaboration that drive the peanut industry.
“Peanuts, peanut butter and other peanut products are such comfort foods,” said Patti LaNeve, purchasing specialist for Glynn County Schools. “Learning the whole story of peanuts—from planting to harvesting—has given me a greater understanding of their value to our economy and the nutrition they provide around the world.”
By the end of the 2025 Harvest Tour, participants had a deeper appreciation for the farmers behind America’s favorite legume and the National Peanut Board’s mission to support growers and share the peanut story with audiences everywhere.
To experience more from the 2025 Harvest Tour, watch here.