Featured Farmer: Kendall W. Wannamaker
South Carolina peanut grower Kent Wannamaker likes a challenge. That’s why he became a farmer and why he grows peanuts. “Every year is different,” said the 2008 South Carolina Farmer of the Year. “Some years are more challenging than others, like when we’re hurting for rain. Then the rain comes and you’re refreshed and ready to go again. Farmers are eternal optimists.”

Wannamaker and his wife of almost 30 years, Mary Lil, are partners in their St. Matthews farm of 800 acres of peanuts, 2,000 acres of cotton and 170 acres of corn. Their two children grew up on the farm. Their son Kendall began medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina this fall and their daughter Lindsey works in the insurance industry in Columbia, S.C.

Calling farming an addiction, Wannamaker’s German ancestors were involved in agriculture and Wannamaker feels connected to that tradition. Previously in the livestock business, Wannamaker has farmed crops for about 12 years, but he didn’t start growing peanuts until 2003 after the 2002 drought. “Peanuts have been awfully good to us,” he said. “They brought us back from the struggles of 2002 and added to the financial health of so many people in South Carolina.”

Off the farm, Wannamaker is the Calhoun County Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner and he is a partner in Carolina Peanut Co. and Farmers Gin Co., LLC in St. Matthews, respectively. Wannamaker also serves on the Southern Cotton Growers Board and he is a Clemson Extension Service advisory committee member.

“There’s no question that we need organizations like the National Peanut Board to support research and help promote and market our product,” said Wannamaker.