History

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HISTORY of NATIONAL PEANUT BUYING POINTS ASSOCIATION
 

The National Peanut Buying Points Association was established as the Southern Peanut Warehouseman’s Association in 1973.  The purpose of the warehouse group was to establish management rules for storing peanuts for the industry and to seek funding for farmers and agribusinesses seeking to build peanut warehouses. Lowell Peavy, a farm leader, was the first president and led the organization for two years.  During the first two years, the board decided to form Chem Nut in 1974, a stock held corporation owned by approximately 200 active members.  The second president of the Association was Jimmy Carter of Carter Warehouse in Plains, Georgia.  Later he became Governor of Georgia and President of the United States.
 
             Chem Nut was structured to allow a dealer to become a complete agricultural supplier to the grower. Sales in 1975 totaled $4.75 million, but by 1993 had increased to $131 million. A portion of the profits from the operations were paid in the form of a patronage rebate.
 
             Chem Nut’s primary mission was to establish a unified marketing program that would best fit the independent operator.  The President and CEO of Chem Nut continued to serve as Executive Director of the Southern Peanut Warehouseman’s Association holding quarterly meetings and annual conventions while serving as the educational arm of the warehousemen in the peanut industry. 
 
             In 1993, Carroll Harpole, Executive Director of SPWA and CEO of Chem Nut, hired Tyron Spearman, formerly the Executive Director of the Georgia Peanut Commission, to prepare newsletters for the members and to assist as Executive Director.  ChemNut was taking considerable time to manage and the peanut warehouseman’s association members wanted more in marketing and information.

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             In 1997, President Rodney Locke requested that the Southern Peanut Warehouseman’s Association reorganize to become more active and change the name to the National Peanut Buying Points Association.  The Association would serve as a voice for buying points, some 350+, while continuing to serve warehousemen, although most warehouses were under the control of shellers and handlers. 
 
             Another need expressed was legislation.  The National Peanut Buying Points Association decided to establish a political action committee and become active in legislation involving buying points.  The Association made several trips to Washington to educate the federal officials and Congress on needs of buying points.  The Association expanded educational opportunities with a Winter Convention and a Summer Educational Conference. 
 
             The National Peanut Buying Points Association has been recognized for leading a major segment of the peanut industry.  The segments are growers, buying points (372 in 2008), shellers and manufacturers.  Supporting associate members, who sell to buying points, have also united as Associate members in support of the Association. The mission is serving as a voice, educating the industry and those establishing rules in managing the industry and promotion of the peanuts and peanut products handled by the buying points.


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