Program Information

Peanuts have been around a long time. Originally from South America, they were carried back to Spain by early explorers or missionaries, then to Africa and back to the United States by African slaves. The first commercial peanut crop in Virginia was grown in the 1840’s in Sussex County, near the town of Waverly.

ABCs of Agriculture informs about Virginia's farming community and how it affects you. ABCs of Agriculture are produced by the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) - an educational program which encourages and enhances agricultural literacy in Grades K-5 and 6-8.

Transcript

Hello, and welcome to the ABC’s of Agriculture! We’re here today to talk about the letter N, which stands for nuts…. Specifically, peanuts!

Peanuts have been around a long time. Originally from South America, they were carried back to Spain by early explorers or missionaries, then to Africa and back to the United States by African slaves. The first commercial peanut crop in Virginia was grown in the 1840’s in Sussex County, near the town of Waverly.

Peanuts became popular nationwide after the Civil War, when Union soldiers took them back north. And in the 1880’s, the circus industry gave them a boost by promoting hot roasted peanuts. About the same time, the peanut industry became very important in the South as an alternative to cotton.

As of 2003, peanuts were the ninth most important farm commodity in Virginia. Peanut growers are concentrated in five Virginia localities – Greensville, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk and Sussex counties. However, within those counties peanuts are the top crop. In 2003 Virginia farmers received 21-point-6 million dollars for their peanuts.

And peanuts are good for you too. Nutritionists say roasted peanuts are high in vitamin E and contain high concentrations of antioxidants, which help protect your heart and prevent disease.

The famous scientist George Washington Carver invented 325 food and industrial uses for peanuts in the early part of the 20th century, including the now famous peanut butter. Now that’s a treat we all love!

For the ABC’s of Agriculture, I’m Professor Brad… see you next time!

Virginia Standards