Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Navarro County Pecan Show Set for December 2 and 3

The Extension Horticulture Committee will be hosting the 2010 Pecan Show on December 3, at the Corsicana Public Library, 100 N. 12th St. in Corsicana. The Pecan Show will demonstrate how to grade pecans for sale based upon the standards by which buyers set the price on marketable pecans. Entries from pecan growers including commercial growers, orchard managers and homeowners are welcomed and encouraged.

Participants are limited to one entry of each named variety they grow. The grower may enter as many varieties, seedlings, known hybrids or natives as desired. One special class, the smallest native, will also be a featured class. Sample entries from one orchard cannot be entered in two county shows. Pecans should be from Navarro County OR ADJOINING COUNTIES WHICH DO NOT HAVE A SHOW.

The exhibitor must be the grower. A minimum of 40 pecans, preferred 42, are necessary for each entry. This minimum sample of 40 should represent the variety and be uniform in size and shell color. Mixed samples (more than one variety in an entry) will be disqualified. The grower may wish to select the heaviest pecans by weighing individual nuts. A varietal entry may be composed of nuts from more than one tree. For example, if a grower has ten Choctaw trees, each tree could contribute nuts to the grower’s one Choctaw entry. Nuts should be without insect and disease damage. The pecans should be free of dust, dirt and shuck remnants. They should not be rubbed to the extent that shape or color is altered. Avoid discolored shells and kernels. This problem may result from peeling pecans from the shucks too early. Pecans exhibited must be from the 2010 crop.

Entries may be brought to the Navarro County Extension office by Wednesday, December 1, by 5pm. The office is located on the third floor of the Navarro County Courthouse or they may be brought to the Corsicana Public Library on Thursday, December 2, 2010 by 8:30am. Ribbons will be awarded to the first three entries in each variety. Champions will be named in the Commercial, Classic and Native divisions and plaques awarded. Awards will be presented on December 3 at 1pm in the Corsicana Library Civic Room and a presentation by Monte Nesbitt, Pecan Program Specialist, on the history of the pecan show, the current market situation and new pecan varieties will follow awards.

We encourage everyone to take the time to submit entries for the show and to include your name, address and variety on each entry. Thanks for interest and support of this endeavor.



QUESTIONS??? CALL 903-654-3075