Neal Baxley

Neal Baxley is the 2025 Vice Chairman of the National Peanut Board and a proud seventh-generation farmer. He co-owns and operates Baxley Farms, LLC alongside his father, Steve, and brother, Gene Robert, where they grow Virginia and runner peanuts, corn, cotton, soybeans, and tobacco, and manage a cattle and hog operation. Neal's farming roots run deep, and his dedication to the land is matched by his commitment to improving the future of the peanut industry.

A graduate of The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Neal has a broad skill set that complements his passion for agriculture. He is actively involved in a variety of industry and professional organizations, including serving as the director of the Arbor One Farm Credit Association Board and a member of the South Carolina Peanut Board, South Carolina Farm Bureau State Board, and South Carolina Pork Board. Neal has also held leadership roles as past chairman of several committees, including the Tobacco Advisory Committee for both the South Carolina Farm Bureau and American Farm Bureau Federation, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture Tobacco Board, and the South Carolina Farm Bureau Young Farmer & Rancher Committee.

Neal is driven by a deep desire to support the sustainability and growth of the peanut industry. He is proud of the progress made by the National Peanut Board in increasing per capita peanut consumption and in funding cutting-edge research that benefits peanut producers. "I look forward to serving as a Board member to grow the peanut industry to ensure a profitable and sustainable future for the hardworking peanut-farming families across the Southeast through promoting peanuts and funding cutting-edge research that will make a difference in producers’ operations,” said Neal. "I am also proud of the progress made in the area of peanut allergies, and the research funded by American peanut farmers that has and will continue to help to ensure that healthy peanuts are safe for all consumers."

When he's not working on the farm or advocating for the peanut industry, Neal enjoys spending time with his family, participating in church activities, and indulging in his passion for quail hunting. He and his wife, Amanda, have three daughters: Madison Kate, Myra Elizabeth, and Magnolia Grace, all of whom help keep Neal grounded in his commitment to family, faith, and farming.