MILLER COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Jeff Adkinson, a south Georgia farmer, races professionally in the National Hot Rod Association and uses the sport to educate people across the country about Georgia-grown peanuts.

45 years of growing Georgia peanuts

The 2026 crop year is Adkinson’s 45th peanut harvest. Including his cotton fields, he has about 3,000 acres in the ground across Early, Miller, and Baker counties.

“I’ve changed a lot of things over the years with the way I farm,” Adkinson said.

He said he takes pride in growing crops such as peanuts and cotton.

“It’s the only thing I’ve found that you start with nothing... with bare ground and you produce a product that someone can consume or use in clothing,” Adkinson said.

Taking Georgia peanuts to the racetrack

Adkinson races across the country when he’s not working on the farm. He has collected many trophies for his skills on the track.

“I started doing this in 1984... my dad had done it up to that point,” Adkinson said.

The Georgia Peanut Commission sponsors his racing. The commission’s decal is on his car when he’s on the road and the track.

Adkinson said he uses his appearances to give people information about peanuts.

“We give out flyers, posters. We give out samples of peanuts to try to help educate and inform people of how good peanuts are for you,” he said.

How farming and racing work together

Adkinson said his skills help him move between farming and racing.

“Being able to do work on my own cars and everything has helped me tremendously. And being able to work on my farm equipment has sort of intertwined with that,” he said.

He said he has help on the farm, though.

“I have a very good crew that helps me here. I’ve never told anyone they work for me. They work with me because I’m out there on a tractor just as much as they are,” Adkinson said.

Adkinson said his crew can look after the farm when he’s away. He said phone technology allows him to check on the work from wherever he is.

“So that’s a huge benefit also,” he said.

The rewards and challenges of farming

Adkinson said he loves farming despite the challenges.

“Farming has been very, very good at times. No one understands the amount of stress and work that you have to put in to be able to farm and do everything you need to do. It’s just a... it’s not an easy livelihood,” Adkinson said.

“Farming gives me a reason to get up every morning and do something,” he said.

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