Conference season picks up again this month, with industry groups meeting in the central and southeast regions. In the coming weeks, pecan growers will gather for the TriState Pecanference and the Oklahoma Pecan Growers Conference for orchard tours, educational programs, and camaraderie. Then in early July, the Texas Pecan Growers Association hosts its annual conference and trade show, another chance for growers and industry members to meet up and learn about all things pecan. Unlike the last two years, the American pecan industry is now back to its traditional conference schedule with no delayed or canceled events this summer.

Of course, other challenges—rising production costs, shipping issues, severe drought—remain and pose a risk to this year’s developing pecan crop. While these challenges shift and change, we continue to adapt. And these industry gatherings provide us an opportunity to meet with old and new friends, talk to industry representatives and vendors, and learn more about pecan management. Most importantly, these events allow us to witness that, as an industry, we’re better together. 

As you’re going about this summer attending industry events, wrapping up harvest, or simply focusing on your 2022 crop, I hope that you have that pecan buddy who you can turn to when things get tough. Whether you met them at a conference or are their neighbor, these friendships within the pecan industry are instrumental to our individual and industry-wide success. When we share ideas and experiences, we learn and discover better ways to grow and sell pecans. 

And maybe, just maybe, this issue of Pecan South can give you some conversation topics to share. Our special Buyer’s Edition includes articles on biofungicides, ice storm recovery, pecan bacterial leaf scorch, and the science behind pecan flowering, as well as advertisements for equipment dealers, nursery trees, and more. 

I hope to see many of you at the conferences this summer!

Until Next Time,

Catherine Clark,

Managing Editor