Each year, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas Pecan Growers Association hosts the Texas Pecan Show. The pecan show originated in the 1950’s as a way to teach growers how to grade their pecans for better prices, identify the most outstanding varieties for each region of the state, recognize and award the most successful pecan management programs, and advertise and promote Texas premium quality pecans.
Pecan shows begin at the county level when pecan producers bring a sample of their nuts from each variety. A sample of 10 nuts are weighed, shelled, and weighed again. The percent of edible kernel is measured after all the non-edible flaws are removed. A judge evaluates each entry based on the percent edible kernel, kernel color, and nut size. Winning entries advance to a regional show. Williamson County competes with pecans from the Central Region of Texas, which is a center slice of Texas that stretches from the southern tip of the state all the way north to the Red River border with Oklahoma. Winners from the regional contest advance to the state-level contest for a chance to be the top pecan of Texas!
The results from the 2019 Texas Pecan Show have been announced, and Williamson County did well!
Reserve Champion Native Pecan: David Patton
1st Place Melrose: Lisa Zucknick
3rd Place Podsednik: Lisa Zucknick
1st Place Shoshoni: Bobby & Wanda Shelton
1st Place Choctaw: Lisa Zucknick
1st Place Nacono: Robert Kaderka
Some of these state-level winners have their pecans available for sale at local farmer’s markets, and the harvest from 2020 is happening right now. Be sure to find some of these great local pecans for your holiday baking and gifts.
The 2020 Williamson County Pecan Show will be held on Thursday, December 17. Anyone with a pecan tree in Williamson County may enter pecans. If you do not grow pecans, you can bake up your favorite pecan treats and enter the Pecan Food Show. More information may be found on our website at: https://williamson.agrilife.org/.
