Peanuts, also known as groundnuts, earthnuts or goobers have a long history of cultivation. Unlike other nuts, peanuts are grown underground and not on a tree (hence the nickname groundnut or earthnut). Originally native to South America, peanuts made their way to North America from Africa, where they were introduced by African slaves in the early 1800’s.
First grown in Virginia, peanuts were grown mainly for oil, food and as a cocoa substitute. During this time, they were regarded as food for livestock and the poor. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that their demand increased as there was a need for an affordable, high-protein food during the Civil War and world wars. Their popularity also increased when P.T. Barnum began selling hot roasted peanuts at circuses.
In the 1900’s, peanuts became a significant agricultural crop when the cotton boll weevil threatened the South’s cotton crop. Through the research findings and suggestions of Dr. George Washington Carver, peanuts were grown as a successful cash crop and contributed greatly to the sustainability of the farm. Though Dr. Carver did not invent peanut butter, he did invent more than 300 new uses for the peanut and peanut byproducts including shaving cream, leather dye, coffee, ink and shoe polish.
Now, peanuts are grown in 13 states across the United States, and the U.S. is the third largest producer of peanuts in the world. In 2019, Florida grew 155,000 acres of peanuts with a production value of roughly $119 million.
Peanut Fun Facts:
• 99% of peanut farms are family-owned, businesses averaging 200 acres
• In 2017, Jefferson County grew peanuts on 2,123 acres
• There are four different types of peanuts – Runner, Valencia, Spanish and Virginia
• Peanut plants are legumes and fix beneficial nitrogen back into the soil
• Peanut butter is an excellent source of niacin, and a good source of vitamin E and magnesium
• Peanuts do not contain cholesterol and are low in saturated fat
• Peanut butter accounts for half of all peanuts eaten in the U.S.
• It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter
• There are enough peanuts in one acre to make 35,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
• The average person will eat almost 3,000 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their lifetime
• Women and children prefer creamy peanut butter, while most men opt for chunky
• Peanut allergies affect just 0.6% of the U.S. population
UF/IFAS Peanut Butter Challenge
Help us fight hunger in Jefferson County by donating unopened jars of peanut butter to the Peanut Butter Challenge! Every year UF/IFAS Extension Offices across the Panhandle coordinate the Peanut Butter Challenge involving volunteer groups, clubs, organizations, businesses and schools to donate peanut butter to address hunger and food insecurity in our area. Thanks to a partnership with the Florida Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Federation, for every one pound of peanut butter you donate, TWO pounds are given to those in need!
Find a drop off location near you:
• UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County
• Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library
• Capital City Bank
• The First Bank
• Jefferson County Farm Bureau
• Waukeenah Fertilizer
• Piggly Wiggly
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