In this enlightening episode of the National Peanut Board’s The Peanut Podcast, hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams explore the cutting-edge intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and agriculture, with a particular focus on how AI could impact the peanut industry. Joining them are two experts in the field: Alina Piddubna, Delivery Director at Intellis, and Dr. Simer Virk, Associate Professor at Auburn University, who share real-world insights into AI's potential to effect farming practices.

Alina sets the stage by demystifying AI, emphasizing its practical applications over the "magic" many associate with it. “AI is about empowering farmers to make data-driven decisions,” she explains, citing examples like personalized crop recommendations and IoT sensors that track soil and moisture conditions. These tools, Alina says, help reduce losses and increase yields by providing actionable insights tailored to specific farms. Her message is clear: the key to AI's success lies in building trust and infrastructure to make these technologies accessible.

Dr. Simer Virk complements Alina's insights with hands-on examples of AI applications in precision agriculture. One standout? A mobile app called Weed ID, which uses AI to identify weeds through your phone's camera. “It’s like having a personal plant detective in your pocket,” Simer quips, adding that similar technologies could one day be adapted to peanut farming. He also highlights projects like using drones for targeted spraying and developing systems to reduce peanut harvesting losses.

The episode also dives into the challenges of implementing AI in agriculture, from navigating strict regulations to overcoming farmers’ hesitancy to adopt new technologies. Both guests stress the importance of experimentation, urging farmers to start small and see the benefits firsthand. “Big hugs to those brave enough to experiment with modern technology,” says Alina, encouraging listeners to take the leap into innovation.

With its blend of expert insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the future of agriculture. Whether you’re a farmer, tech enthusiastor peanut aficionado, The Peanut Podcast offers a fascinating glimpse into how AI is reshaping the fields—one byte (or bite!) at a time.

In the latest episode of The Peanut Podcast, co-hosts Ashton Pellom and Lauren Highfill Williams whisk listeners away on a globetrotting adventure through the captivating history and future of peanuts—think of it as an epic odyssey starring a humble legume!

From their South American origins to their North American fame, peanuts have traveled far and wide, fueled by pioneers like Dr. Charles Simpson, who embarked on 28 expeditions to uncover wild peanut species that are now the backbone of drought-resistant crops.

Along the way, we meet Dr. Steve Brown, who shares the inside scoop on the Peanut Genome Initiative, which mapped the peanut genome faster than you can say "buttery goodness."

And speaking of flavor, Dr. Chris Liebold from J.M. Smucker spills the beans on crafting delicious innovations like Jif's peanut butter chocolate—because nothing says love like a peanut-centric treat.

Dr. Jeff Dunne wraps up the episode by highlighting how industry funding is like a superfood for research, helping farmers thrive.

Whether you're a peanut enthusiast or just curious about sustainable agriculture, this episode is a crunchy blend of history, science, and tantalizing future possibilities that will leave you craving more.

Tune in and discover why peanuts might just be the unsung superheroes of the legume world!

Experiencing flavors from around the world is a priority for many consumers. Peanuts are a staple ingredient in traditional cuisines yet also find their way into new dishes with fresh takes on flavor pairings. Enjoying peanut foods is an easy way to pair familiar foods with the unfamiliar, ultimately allowing for more diverse palettes and opening the door to adventurous eating. Parents are also eager to raise more adventurous eaters. Diversifying a young palette can begin early with starting solids and including peanut foods in their diet. In this episode, we’ll explore exciting ways that consumers, restaurants and new parents are being adventurous with peanuts through interviews with Jennifer Anderson of Kids Eat In Color, Amanda Lemein of Golin, and content creator, chef, and cookbook author Jon Kung.