Peanuts are an important crop in South Carolina, valued for their role as food and oilseed. Grown commercially in South Carolina since around 1800, peanuts are prized for their versatility and are used in local cuisine and the global food industry. To help ensure the continued success of peanut farming in South Carolina, SC peanut growers are participating in the Climate-Smart Grown in SC project.
Peanuts
Why Peanuts?
Peanuts are big business in South Carolina. Generating around $73 million in 2022, South Carolina's peanut industry ranks sixth in the United States and provides crucial jobs and income. As part of the legume family, peanut plants have roots containing special bacteria that can pull nitrogen from the air and help the plants to grow. When the peanut plants decompose, they release nitrogen that other plants can use, reducing the need for extra fertilizer. Climate-Smart Grown in SC will help ensure that South Carolina's peanut industry continues to thrive and grow sustainably.
Climate-Smart Practices
- Cover cropping means planting specific crops in the off-season to control weeds, combat soil erosion, enhance soil fertility, and retain soil moisture. Cover crops can also support populations of pollinators and other beneficial organisms.
- Crop residues are agricultural waste materials like stalks, leaves, and seed pods. Leaving crop residues on the soil surface protects against erosion, retains soil moisture, and helps peanuts grow better.
- Reduced tillage means disturbing the soil less when planting, which makes the soil healthier and prevents the loss of organic matter.
