March is National Peanut Month and to celebrate it, the Georgia peanut industry brought peanuts to the state capitol last week.

In addition to providing plenty of grilled PB&J’s and boiled peanuts, the peanut industry put on a program about the importance of peanuts to the state.

“Peanuts are Georgia’s Official State Crop and the state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at nearly fifty percent,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.”

Coincidentally, March is National Nutrition Month – a great time to recognize the nutritional value of peanuts. One serving of peanuts is a good source of protein, Vitamin E, Niacin, Folate, Phosphorus and Magnesium. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

The sponsored program also included the latest in peanut research being done by University of Georgia Peanut Team and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Peanut Research Lab in Dawson, Ga.