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Although Poteet is well known for growing strawberries, farmers have enjoyed much success with harvesting peanuts as well. The first peanuts were grown in Atascosa County in the early 1900s. Harvesting was a hand-picked operation until the 1930s, when commercial threshers became available. In 1934, local farmer C.O. Bruce designed his own stationary, belt-driven thresher. In 1940, “The Bruce #2,” a self-propelled combine with two Ford engines, revolutionized harvesting. Bruce also invented a peanut sheller locally used from 1943-1963. Production was highest during World War II due to government demand. Another important contribution came from the Ridgway family. The Ridgways invented the first peanut combine in the area in the 1930s. Steve Ridgway earned several accolades including top soil conservation farmer in 1958 and became a charter member of the Atascosa County Peanut Growers Association. He also invented a natural peanut dryer that produced a better product than commercial dryers.
The Warnken family shelled peanuts since the 1940s under the name “Warco Mills, Inc.” In 1958, Charles Warnken was offered a plant manager job at the nearby Wilson County Peanut Co., or “Wilco.” In 1966, Warnken negotiated a deal to be business partner to Wilco owner W.G. Conway. Eventually, in 1976, Warnken bought out Conway to own 100% of Wilco. Concurrently, the “Wilco 1” peanut variety became the first peanut to receive federal protection under the Plant Variety Protection Act. In 1978, Wilco moved its operations to Hwy 281 north of Pleasanton, much closer to the peanut farms that had been supplying their product. Since then, Wilco and others continue the strong tradition of peanut farming in Atascosa County. (2022) |
