Pictured: National Peanut Board member Lonnie Fortner (third from left) and fellow award recipients
The National Peanut Board congratulates our member Lonnie Fortner on being named the 2026 Peanut Efficiency Award winner for the Delta region by Farm Press.
Presented annually, the Peanut Efficiency Awards recognize U.S. peanut producers who exemplify excellence in production efficiency, sustainability and innovation. Fortner is one of four selected growers and was recognized during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference on July 23rd in Panama City Beach, Florida.
As managing partner of Bayou Pierre Farms in Port Gibson, Mississippi, Fortner has built a diversified row crop operation that includes peanuts, cotton, soybeans and corn. A longtime advocate for innovation, he was among the first growers to introduce peanuts to southwestern Mississippi and continues to demonstrate how progressive technology and conservation practices can improve long-term productivity.
Fortner consistently produces approximately 5,000 pounds of peanuts per acre on mostly nonirrigated land, leveraging decades of experience while embracing technological advancements.
Beyond the farm, Fortner has dedicated years of service to the peanut industry. In addition to representing Mississippi on the National Peanut Board, he has served in leadership roles with the Mississippi Peanut Promotion Board, Mississippi Peanut Growers Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau and other key organizations. He has been a strong advocate for research, grower education and policies that support the long-term success of U.S. peanut producers.
Congratulations to Lonnie and all the impressive winners on this well-deserved honor.
