Peanut Agriculture and History

Peanuts are a highly nutritious legume, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Their history traces back to South America, eventually reaching the US through trade. Technological advancements in the 1900s, including the work of George Washington Carver, significantly boosted peanut production. Peanuts are unique as they flower above ground but fruit below. There are four main types of peanuts: Runner, Virginia, Spanish, and Valencia, each with distinct uses. Modern farming practices, including crop rotation, enhance peanut cultivation.

What percentage of protein does a peanut contain?

• 40%

• 50%

• 25%

• 10%

Where did the peanut's journey to the United States begin?

• Africa

• South America

• Asia

• Europe

Who began research into peanuts at Tuskegee Institute in 1903?

• Alexander Graham Bell

• Thomas Edison

• George Washington Carver

• Nikola Tesla

What was one of the uses George Washington Carver developed for peanuts?

• Paint

• Shoe polish

• Ink

• Fuel

How much does the peanut industry contribute to the US economy annually?

• One billion dollars

• Two billion dollars

• Three billion dollars

• Four billion dollars

What is unique about the peanut's growth process?

• It grows on trees

• It grows entirely above ground

• It flowers above ground but fruits below ground

• It grows in water

Which type of peanut is primarily used for peanut butter?

• Valencia

• Spanish

• Virginia

• Runner

Which state grows the largest percentage of peanuts in the U.S.?

• Texas

• Alabama

• Georgia

• North Carolina

When are peanuts typically planted in the U.S.?

• June or July

• September or October

• January or February

• April or May

What is the ideal climate for growing peanuts?

• Wet and humid

• Cold and wet

• Warm and sandy

• Cold and dry