John Weaver Honored for His Efforts to Support On-farm Research in Johnston County

Peanuts are a crop that have customarily been grown in northeastern North Carolina, but have been moving south since 2002, including into a few Johnston County farms. One such farmer, John Weaver of Kenly, who has traditionally cultivated tobacco, corn, and soybeans, made the decision to invest in peanut production in 2010 as a way to improve crop rotation and increase profitability.

Following the purchase of the necessary equipment, Mr. Weaver turned to North Carolina Cooperative Extension and North Carolina State University to assist him in learning about this new crop. Over the next two years, Dr. David Jordan and Dewayne Johnson of North Carolina State University conducted peanut research on Mr. Weaver’s farm, the results of which were showcased to area farmers at a recent tour on August 30th.

Collaboration from farmers such as Mr. Weaver has allowed North Carolina Cooperative Extension and NC State University to gain valuable information through on-farm tests, which could not have otherwise been conducted.

In appreciation of his contributions to the peanut research program, a plaque from North Carolina State University was presented to Mr. Weaver at the field day. In 2012, cooperators like John, have assisted North Carolina Cooperative Extension with 16 on-farm studies in Johnston County.