Barnes speaks on the harvest
Published 5:59 pm Friday, October 13, 2023
Elisha Barnes, right, shakes the hand of Cliff Hedgepeth at the Thursday, Oct. 5, program featuring Barnes at the Courtland branch of the Blackwater Regional Library. (Photo submitted by Donna Pope)
This display table was set up at the Courtland library’s Thursday, Oct. 5, program, highlighting the high-profile publications that have featured local peanut farmer innovator Elisha Barnes. The table also offers a sampling of the peanuts grown by Barnes. (Photo submitted by Donna Pope)
Fourth-generation farmer Elisha Barnes talks about harvesting methods during a program highlighting him and his expertise at the Courtland library on Thursday, Oct. 5. (Photo submitted by Donna Pope)
Local peanut farmer innovator Elisha Barnes speaks to a gathering at the Courtland branch of the Blackwater Regional Library on Thursday, Oct. 5. (Photo submitted by Donna Pope)
The peanuts grown by fourth-generation farmer Elisha Barnes are marketed globally. (Photo submitted by Donna Pope)
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The Courtland branch of the Blackwater Regional Library recently hosted Elisha Barnes, a fourth-generation farmer, who spoke to a gathering of people about keeping the traditional harvesting methods alive in Southampton County.
A library news release noted that Barnes is a peanut farmer innovator, and he talked about the history of growing and picking peanuts with his family. His peanuts are marketed globally, and he has been featured in Virginia Living magazine, Southern Living, National Geographic, The Washington Post, Western Tidewater Living and other publications.
He also partnered with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore at Izzie’s Field to grow and harvest sweet corn, produce, and he is currently shocking peanuts.
A release from the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce noted that Izzie’s Field is a farm-to-Foodbank project aiming to increase the availability of fresh produce to the community while also supporting Barnes’ hardworking and generous spirit.
