GLICKMAN NAMES MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES TO NEW NATIONAL PEANUT
                                                          BOARD
                                           Release No. 0048.00 
                                                               
                                                               
                                 George Chartier (202) 720-8998
                                       george.chartier@usda.gov
                                       Billy Cox (202) 720-8998
                                             billy.cox@usda.gov


GLICKMAN NAMES MEMBERS AND ALTERNATES TO NEW NATIONAL PEANUT
BOARD

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2000   Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman today
announced the appointment of 10 members and alternates to the initial National Peanut Board.
The National Peanut Board, authorized by the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information
Order, became effective on Aug. 1, 1999.

     Glickman also announced his intent to propose an amendment to the peanut order to add
a public member and alternate to the Board.  The proposed amendment is likely to be issued this
spring with a request for public comments.

     "Research and promotion programs help America's farmers and ranchers remain
competitive in domestic and international marketplaces," Glickman said.  "I am pleased that
peanut growers have taken advantage of this opportunity to collectively promote their products."

     Newly appointed board members are:

     Four-year term: Murray Campbell, Camilla, Ga; Teddy J. Higginbottom, Seminole,
Texas; Jon W. Hardwick, Newellton, La.

     Three -year term: Ben F. Bowden, Eufaula, Ala; T. Richard Barber, Jr., Ocala, Fla;
Donald W. White, Williamston, N.C.; Delores C. Darden, Smithfield, Va.

     Two-year term: Alva C. Carter Sr., Portales, N.M.; Floyd L. King, Hydro, Okla; Robert
E. Scott, Aiken, S.C.    

          Newly appointed alternate members are:

     Four -year term: Charles B. Coley, Vienna, Ga; Louis G. Grissom, Seminole, Texas;
Cecil Edward Pratt, Tacna, Ariz.

     Three -year term: George R. Jeffcoat, Gordon, Ala; Lady C. Dietrich, Graceville, Fla;
L.M. Brinkley Jr., Aulander, N.C.; William B. Bain, Dinwiddie, Va.

     Two-year term: Richard W. Robbins, Portales, N.M.; Gary Weger, Calera, Okla.; James
W. Mole, Jr., Brunson, S.C.

     The new program was favored by over 66 percent of the producers who voted in a
national referendum between May 24 and July 2, 1999.

     The Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order is the first to be authorized
under the Commodity Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Act of 1996
This act gives the Secretary of Agriculture authority to establish research and promotion
programs for agricultural commodities.  The order was developed to finance an effective and
coordinated program of generic promotion, information and related research designed to maintain
and expand markets for peanuts.  The National Peanut Board, which will administer the order,
will hold an organizational meeting in Washington in March.

     The 10-member board is composed of eligible peanut producers.  The nominees were
appointed from nominations submitted by certified peanut producer organizations.  The initial
board will serve staggered two-year; three-year; and four-year terms of office.

     USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service will supervise operations of the National Peanut
Board in accordance with the act and the order.  Under the order, domestic producers pay on
assessment at the rate of 1 percent of the total value of all farmers' stock peanuts sold.  This is
expected to generate about $10 million in annual revenues.

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