THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 15, 1995 TAG: 9511160635
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
GROWING A CHEAPER peanut in Virginia may not be possible, says Ray Holland, president of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association. But farmers may be asked to do just that if the federal 1995 Farm Bill is passed and signed into law by President Clinton.
Holland, who farms 300 acres of peanuts in Windsor, was recently re-elected president of the association. He also has served as vice president, treasurer and director of the association's board.
Holland says the farm bill would decrease the price farmers are paid for peanuts by $50 per ton - a $55 million total loss to U.S. peanut growers, he estimates. The current support program sets the price at $678 a ton. The proposed bill would drop that to $628.
But companies that buy peanuts want to see that dropped even more, to compete with the world market price of $365 per ton.
``The big winner in all this is the sheller,'' Holland says. ``They just want cheaper peanuts. I'd feel a lot better about all this if I knew that some of that savings would be passed on to the consumer at the grocery store, but that won't happen.''
During the past year, Holland has been lobbying in Washington for growers.
``Our hope is to keep a viable program that will keep us in business. We can't raise peanuts for $500 a ton in this area. They may be able to raise them for that in other parts of the world, but not in Virginia.''
The proposed farm bill already has affected next year's peanut acreage. Holland plans to decrease his by 100 acres next year. And he believes others will do the same.
``There will be a reduction in peanut acreage next year if the program goes through as planned. You don't want to raise something nobody wants.''
Holland hopes the bill will be passed in December so farmers can plan next year's crop.
``Really, we need to know right now,'' he says.
Name: Ray Holland
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? My parents were born and raised in Isle of Wight County.
Birthdate/hometown: Born in Obici Hospital and raised in Isle of Wight County.
What's your fondest childhood memory? Squirrel hunting with my dog, Mut.
Marital status and children: Married for 13 years to Dottie. We have one daughter and two stepchildren.
Pets: One dog and two cats.
What was your first job/worst job? My first job was working for Lane Gwaltney. I helped him cut corn silage for his dairy farm. I have never had a job that I didn't like.
Occupation: Farmer
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? Attorney
What's your favorite hangout? Early morning at the Dairy Queen in Windsor.
Favorite night out on the town? Dinner at Steinhilber's Thalia Acres Inn, Virginia Beach, and a movie with my family.
Favorite food/drink: Beef tenderloin and a Pepsi
Book you wish everyone would read: The Bible
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? A golf resort - anywhere.
Few people know that . . . I jog at least 3 miles every morning, and that I exaggerate about my exercise program.
Most embarrassing moment: I stepped off a cotton picker, stepped into a bucket, fell and broke my wrist.
If you won the lottery, what would you do? Quit farming, play more golf and do more public service.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? The fact that my mother and father instilled in me religious views and faith while I was growing up. Without them, life would be very empty and hard to deal with.
What do you think is the best thing about yourself? I feel like I'm fairly patient, and I try to be considerate of other people's rights and opinions.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be? I don't want to trade places with anyone. I'm content.
Of what achievements are you most proud? My family and my little girl. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB