South Georgia Pecan was honored to participate in the 4th Annual Pecan Processing Research Workshop, hosted at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens, GA, on August 24–25, 2025. Representing SGP were Humberto Reyes, Plant Manager of our Western Production Facility, and Leobardo Marrufo, Production Manager of our Western Production Facility.

The objective of the workshop was to bring together members of the pecan industry and community to share updates on USDA-funded research conducted by the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, and USDA ARS.

The two-day event began with a welcome reception and dinner, highlighted by a presentation from Southern Roots with Chris Harrell, who shared a family story of farm-to-table pecans. Attendees also enjoyed poster presentations from USDA Byron Fruit and Tree Nut Research and Fort Valley State University.

On the workshop day, researchers presented advancements in pecan cracking, shelling, processing, food safety, extended shelf life, and storage. Participants had the chance to tour the UGA Manufacturing Living Labs, where Industry 4.0 technologies were demonstrated in pecan shelling and cracking processes. These included innovations in computer vision, motorization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and yields while maintaining food safety.

The program concluded with a visit to the UGA Innovation Factory, showcasing how faculty and students are developing new technologies for manufacturing and agriculture, further highlighting the connection between research and practical applications in the field.

This event reaffirmed the importance of collaboration within the pecan community and the role of research and innovation in shaping the future of the industry. SGP is proud to continue learning, contributing, and applying these insights to deliver the highest-quality pecans to our customers worldwide.