The Hunt County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office is taking orders for our annual pecan fundraiser now
through October 11th. Our pecans are top
quality, Texas pecans. This year the sale includes your choice of a 1lb bag of
halves or a 1lb bag of pieces. Proceeds from this sale go toward educational
programming in Hunt County and we truly appreciate your support! For your
convenience, this year we have multiple ways to order. To order online visit
https://huntagrilife.ecwid.com/, email your order to hunt-tx@tamu.edu, or
stop by our office.
The pecan tree is the state tree of Texas and is native in
150 counties across the state. Pecan trees are popular for both landscaping and
as a source of nuts. In 2014, the U.S. produced more than 200 million pounds of
pecans with roughly 61 million of those pounds being produced in Texas. Seventy-five percent of the U.S. pecan crop
comes from just three states, Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas.
Most of the pecan questions that come through our office
deal with tree or nut issues and most are not aware of the nutritional benefits
associated with adding pecans to your diet. Pecans are packed with
monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which can help lower blood cholesterol
when substituted for foods high in saturated fats. In addition to good fats, pecans serve as an
excellent source for many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, and
E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. To top it off, the USDA ranks pecans as the
most antioxidant-rich tree nut. Antioxidants are known for their age defying
characteristics. Add a little spunk to your diet by including pecans. We all
love pecans in pies and pralines, but they are also a tasty addition to eat
with yogurt, fruits, or on salads.
If you are interested in growing your own pecan trees, and
not so much the nutritional benefits, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers a
detailed publication filled with information and you may pick up a copy of this
at the Hunt County Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, Texas
75401.
If you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat,
please feel free to call (903) 455-9885, email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu, or
come by the Hunt County Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville,
Texas, 75401.
References:
Ritter, Corie. (2019). Pecans: What you need to know. Path
to the Plate. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
https://pathtotheplate.tamu.edu/pecans-industry-overview-and-what-you-need-to-know/