Ga. Peanut Commission opens new headquarters

Published 9:43 pm Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Not only was the state primary election an important moment in Tifton Tuesday, but so was the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors’ proud celebration of the commission’s 50th anniversary by holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house that morning at the new headquarters, located at 445 Fulwood Blvd. (off of Interstate 75 at exit 63B).

A large crowd of state, federal and local dignitaries and members of the community piled onto the lawn from inside the building and from their parked vehicles as the GPC chairman and peanut farmer from Ocilla, Armond Morris, began the ceremony.

“This is a historic moment for Georgia peanut farmers,” Morris said from the steps of the building, looking out into the crowd. Members of the GPC board stood alongside him.

He noted that the facility is not yet complete. He motioned to the crowd to look at a large dug-out area next to the building, noting that it will be a peanut-shaped pond.

“Georgia has the only peanut pond,” he stated, smiling.

Morris thanked the crowd for attending and stated that the GPC is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

“We look forward to the future and the next 50 years of service,” he said.

In a press release from GPC, he stated, “The commission is proud of the fact that we have used local contractors and businesses in the construction of the new headquarters, which has helped strengthen the economy in the South Georgia area. The new headquarters will assist the commission in fulfilling its mission of educating consumers and telling the peanut farmers’ story.”

Donald Chase, GPC Building Committee chairman and peanut farmer from Oglethorpe, led the crowd in prayer.

“We are all blessed to be standing here,” he said. “I hope that this building will be used to glorify God and instruct people about agriculture.”

In a press release, Chase said,“We are proud of the new energy efficient headquarters and the opportunities that exist to promote peanuts to millions of consumers traveling through Georgia. The principles of forward thinking in the design of the new headquarters is a testament to the forward thinking of farmers in the peanut industry here in Georgia.”

He also commented about the commemorative bricks located in front of the building as you walk towards the steps. He stated that one brick is inscribed with Psalm 136:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

According to the press release, the new headquarters has been made possible through sponsorships and a commemorative brick and bench program. The sponsors include: Platinum level – Kelley Manufacturing Co. and Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing; Gold level – American Peanut Shellers Association, Birdsong Peanuts, Toto, USA, Inc., The FlintCo Family of Companies including Albany Tractor Company, Flint Equipment Company and Flint Power Systems; and Silver level – Farm Credit, Lasseter Equipment Group and SunSouth. Numerous farmers, organizations and business have all contributed to the building program by sponsoring a commemorative brick or bench. Florida Peanut Producers Association purchased the first brick.

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Joe Boddiford, GPC vice chairman, stated that it was a pleasure and privilege to be a part of the ceremony. He said he’s reminded of all the things his predecessors did to help prepare them for the building. Also, he noted that it always gives him great pride to pledge to the flag.

Morris told the crowd that he’s thankful to Sen. Saxby Chambliss for presenting them with the flag in honor of the GPC’s 50th anniversary. Debbie Cannon with the senator’s office said the flag is also being flown at the U.S. capital in celebration of the anniversary. In addition, Chambliss will be speaking about the anniversary and the opening of the new headquarters in Tifton on the Senate floor.

Cannon noted that Georgia leads the nation in being the No. 1 producer of peanuts. She stated that two million of the little red bags of Georgia Peanuts are sold annually.

Also, two individuals were recognized by Chase for the vision that they had of the new facility, which came about from a tiny concept. Those individuals are GPC Executive Director Don Koehler and Grady Thompson, chairman of the Tift County Board of Commissioners.

Thompson stated, “Don and I were talking about this in church. It started from there.”

He noted that there are a lot of things going on in Tift County which began the same way — with an idea.

“We’re proud. If you drive through Macon on I-75, you can see a Georgia Farm Bureau sign. I thought to myself, why can’t we do that in Tifton with peanuts.”

Koehler said to Thompson, “I said a lot of prayers to get to this point.”

He told the crowd that not only did he and Thompson have a dream, but “we have a dream.”

He added, “This building is Georgia to the heart and soul. It’s been a team effort. Things happen not because of a vision of ‘I,’ but because of ‘we.’ I’m appreciative of the folks that surround me.”

Koehler noted that the new facility lacks only one thing — “We’re absent of a mortgage because it’s paid for.” The crowd applauded. He said the cost of the building was $87 per square foot.

Morris thanked everyone who made it possible in securing the new location.

According to the press release, the new headquarters, designed by Cadmus Design-Build, will be the first net-zero energy building for state government in Georgia. Cadmus Design-Build provides Architectural Design and Construction Management in the Master Builder tradition towards net-zero energy, environmental sustainability and economic feasibility goals. These high performance standards are met through a holistic approach to energy and water efficiency, conservation, environmental impacts and waste management as part of design, development, construction and ongoing building maintenance and operations.

The new headquarters was designed and built to meet criteria for LEED Certification at a Platinum Level with a combination of systems which provide synergies that result in enhanced performance overall. The site selection, development, building placement, design, engineering and orientation all contribute to low-impact and high performance results.

Beyond building to LEED Certification standards, the new headquarters has fully integrated alternative/ renewable energy systems that enhance performance capabilities towards the Near and Net-Zero Energy goals. The new building’s integrated systems include both passive and active Geo-Thermal Systems, Passive Solar Architectural Design and Engineering, Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Solar Thermal Systems, Natural / Daylight Harvesting Systems, Rain and Condensate Harvesting, and many other materials and methodologies that all contribute to the Cadmus Design-Build mission of “Building a Better Environment.”

“Not only does this building represent a huge commitment and achievement from Georgia’s peanut farmers, but it will serve as an achievement for the entire peanut and agricultural industry in Georgia,” Chase says in the press release. “We have had numerous partners throughout the industry that have seen the value of the new headquarters and educating consumers about agriculture.”

Others who spoke during the ceremony included Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Rep. Austin Scott.

Scott commended the GPC on an excellent job and stated that he looks forward to continuing to represent them in Congress.

Black said that Tift County has always been a welcoming place. He saluted the GPC for building an educational facility.

The GPC was presented with congressional records on their 50th-year anniversary from Scott, Sen. Johnny Isakson and Congressman Sanford Bishop.

Also, Jimmy Blitch of Statesboro, former board member of the GPC, was recognized as one of Georgia’s finest farmers who served in the greatest capacity and the No. 1 Georgia peanut advocate. A commemorative brick was dedicated to him.

For more information on the GPC building project, visit www.gapeanuts.com.

To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.