Today’s stop in Bulloch County at Sikes Farms gave attendees a close-up look at peanut harvest in action as a combine worked its way through the field, picking up rows and separating the peanuts from the vines. As the peanuts are lifted into the combine, the pods are separated from the plant and collected in the machine’s hopper, while the vines are left behind in the field. It’s a process that requires careful timing, specialized equipment and experience to efficiently bring the crop from the field to the next stage of production.
The harvest also provided an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the Sikes family and their farming operation. Greg Sikes has been farming for 27 years and now farms alongside his son, Landon. Together, they grow peanuts, cotton, corn and wheat.
Farming runs deep in Greg’s family. Although his parents did not farm, both his grandfather and great-grandfather were farmers. Greg chose to revive the family farm, following in their footsteps and building an operation of his own. His connection to the peanut industry extends beyond his farm as well. Greg recently served as president of the National Peanut Buying Points Association and is also part owner of Candler Peanut.
With approximately 26,400 acres of peanuts harvested and an average yield of 3,998 pounds per acre according to the latest USDA county-level data, Bulloch County is an important part of Georgia’s peanut industry. Seeing harvest firsthand at Sikes Farms gave tour attendees a closer look at not only the scale of peanut production in the county, but also the people, families and generations of farming experience behind the crop.