1. (a) The Legislature finds all of the following:

   1. (1) Peanuts and pecans are crops of historical and agricultural significance to the State of Alabama.
   2. (2) The peanut was elevated to its current status by landmark agricultural scientist George Washington Carver’s research at Tuskegee Institute, later renamed Tuskegee University.
   3. (3) In 2021, Alabama ranked 2nd in the nation in peanut production when more than 1,000 Alabama farm families grew over 622 million pounds of peanuts.
   4. (4) The peanut is designated as the official state legume of Alabama.
   5. (5) The pecan is native to the State of Alabama and has been consumed in this region throughout human history.
   6. (6) Alabama is one of only 15 states that produce pecans, with more than 500 farmers dedicating over 8,000 acres to pecan production.
   7. (7) The pecan is designated as the official state nut of Alabama.
2. (b) The Yellowhammer Cookie, which originated in Montgomery, Alabama, and prominently features peanuts and pecans, is designated as the official State Cookie of Alabama.

(Act 2023-357, §1.)