The National Peanut Board is a farmer-funded national research, promotion and education group in support of all things peanuts. Each of the 11 major peanut-producing American states is represented by a board member and an alternate. One at-large board member and alternate represent all minor peanut-producing states. Click on any of the faces below to meet the U.S. peanut farmers who currently volunteer to serve on the National Peanut Board.
12 profiles
ProfileCasey Cox Kerr, GeorgiaCasey Cox Kerr is the President and CEO of Longleaf Ridge Farms.
ProfileClay Deane, MissouriDeane operates Triple D Farms in partnership with his cousins. In addition to peanuts, he grows corn, soybeans and cotton.
ProfileCliff Neece, At-LargeCliff Neece is a dedicated peanut grower from Portales, New Mexico, where he is a vital part of the state’s farming community.
ProfileGregory Baltz, ArkansasGreg Baltz operates Running Lake Farms and has been growing peanuts for 11 years.
ProfileJeff Roper, TexasJeff Roper is the 2026 Vice President of the board. Roper owns and operates Jeffery Roper Farms.
ProfileLance Jackson, FloridaLance Jackson is a dedicated peanut grower from Graceville, Florida, where he's a respected figure in the peanut industry.
ProfileLonnie Fortner, MississippiFortner has been a farmer for 24 years and is the managing partner for Bayou Pierre Farms where he grows peanuts, cotton, soybeans and corn.
ProfileMark DeLeon, OklahomaMark DeLeon has been growing peanuts since 2002. With the help of his son, he also grows cotton and runs a cow-calf operation.
ProfileNeal Baxley, South CarolinaNeal Baxley is the 2026 chairman of the board. He owns and operates Baxley Farms, LLC, along with his father and brother.
ProfileRaymond Garner Jr., North CarolinaGarner is a fifth-generation farmer in Halifax County and has experience growing peanuts, cotton, soybeans and wheat.
ProfileThomas Adams, AlabamaThomas Adams is the 2026 treasurer of the board. Adams is a third-generation peanut grower from Newville, Alabama.
ProfileWestley Drake, VirginiaWestley Drake is the 2026 Board secretary and a proud 14th-generation farmer at Sandy Ridge Farms, Inc., in Newsoms, VA.