Thank you to all who were able to join us for the 2025 Pecan Processing Research Workshop on August 24-25 in Athens, GA, at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. We had a record turnout for the 4th Annual Workshop with close to 65 attendees, spanning from across the southern region as far as Texas, Mexico, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Kudos to all who made the trip out to Athens, GA!
This year’s workshop opened with a Welcome Reception and Dinner, including a guest presentation from Southern Roots with Chris Harrell sharing a Family Story of Farm-to-Table Pecans. Poster presentations were given by USDA Byron Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station and Fort Valley State University.
The workshop covered recent research advancements in pecan cracking, shelling, processing, food safety, increased shelf life, and storage given by researchers at the University of Georgia, Fort Valley State University, and the USDA Southeastern Fruit & Tree Nut Research Station. Vicki-Lynn Pecans gave a guest presentation during lunch on Marketing and Selling Your Pecans in Any Economy: Bridging the Gap Between Growers and Buyers.
An afternoon tour of the University of Georgia Manufacturing Living Labs showcased the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies to improve efficiency and reduce food waste during the pecan cracking and shelling process. Workshop participants engaged in demonstrations on products used to increase pecan shelf life, reduce pathogens and increase food safety. UGA Manufacturing Living Labs demonstrated how updating legacy farm equipment with computer vision, motorization, machine learning, and artificial intelligence can economically increase pecan half yields. Attendees also toured the UGA Innovation Factory where students and faculty are researching new and upcoming technologies that may provide new opportunities in manufacturing and agriculture.
The workshop concluded with a reception and production tour at Creature Comforts Taproom and Brewery, and the closing dinner catered by Mama’s Boy featuring pecan crusted chicken and pecan pie.
Link to downloadable agenda: AGENDA
Link to UGA College of Engineering Flickr Photo Album for Pecan Workshop
Link to UGA Manufacturing Living Labs Flickr Photo Album for Pecan Workshop
Links to workshop presentations:
9:00 AM – Welcome and Project Overview – Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan and Dr. Beshoy Morkos
9:15 AM – Moisture – Results of Cold Bath and Hot Bath Moisturization – Aiyana Mozaffar and Mozhdeh Rahmanpour
9:35 AM – Cracking Update – Claire Floyd
9:55 AM – Cracking Feed Controllers – Rhys DeLoach
10:05 AM – AI Vision System and Automation Integration – Dr. Seyed Alireaza Vaezi
10:30 AM – Recommendations for Shelling Design and Improvements – Logan Smith
10:50 AM – System Architecture for Smart Pecan Processing – Ayoub Heydarzade
11:10 AM – Recommendations on System Selection and Settings – Claire Floyd
11:20 AM – Effects of Pulsed Ultraviolet Light on Selected Physical Properties of Pecan Halves – Jessica C Awaogu
11:35 AM – Determining Food Safety Best Practices for Pecan Float Systems – Dr. Cameron Bardsley
12:00 PM – Shelf Life and Storage – Dr. Xiuxiu Sun
We also appreciate your feedback! Please feel free to let us what you enjoyed, what we need to improve, and what you would like to see in the future by completing this form!
Keep on cracking!