Excerpts from the report: This study examines the characteristics and practices of first-buyers of farmers' stock peanuts in the Virginia-North Carolina Area. The term "first-buyer" as used here means the business entity--whether it be individual proprietorship, partnership, or corporation--which purchased the farmers' stock peanuts directly from growers. Peanuts are classified as "farmers' stock" until they are shelled or processed for sale to consumers in the shell. This first-buyer survey, prepared by Farmer Cooperative Service, had the specific objectives of getting the following information about first-buyers: (1) Organizational characteristics; (2) current buying practices; (3) physical facilities and personnel used; (4) pricing practices followed; and (5) opinions on alternative marketing systems.