WINDSOR
Southern States Tidewater Petroleum Cooperative Inc. recently donated $1,000 to help fund a documentary on the history of peanut farming in southeastern Virginia.

The documentary, titled “The Peanut Story… in a nutshell,” began as a project of the Western Tidewater Council for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities approximately four years ago. It features interviews with lifelong area farmers who discuss how peanut farming has changed throughout the years.

Rex Alphin, a farmer from Isle of Wight County whose late father, Bob, is interviewed in the film, formally accepted the donation from Southern States Manager Clarence C. Hucks on Wednesday on behalf of the project.

Hucks explained that his goal in making the donation was to give back to the local farming community.

“We’re a farming co-op, he said. “This co-op was established in 1956 by local farmers.”

Alphin said he anticipates the filming to be complete by the end of this summer, and that the Western Tidewater Council is still hoping for a few more donations.

“We’re headed toward the finish line,” he said. “We’re hoping to air it next year on PBS and other public venues.”