Believe it or not, the pecan has its own month.

November is Georgia Pecan Month and our region is the epicenter of the pecan industry.

South Georgia boasts the best producers and processors in the world, and pecans are a major boon to our economy.

Hurricane Michael wrecked many pecan trees, which take an entire decade to mature and begin producing nuts. Georgia’s pecan crop sustained an estimated $560 million loss in the storm, according to an Associated Press report.

The extent of Michael’s impact remains to be seen. 

Georgia is the nation´s leading pecan-producing state, by far, according to the state’s department of agriculture.

In Georgia, pecans are harvested during October and November, but are available year-round.

From Albany to Valdosta, pecan orchards range in size from a few acres to several thousands of acres, producing millions of pounds of the popular nuts each year.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture offers these suggestions when purchasing pecans:

• Look for plump pecans that are uniform in color and size.

• The shell of a pecan should be smooth and light brown.

• Pecans are perishable and must be properly stored to maintain optimum quality.

Pecans are used in dips, dressings, sauces, salads and desserts, including the ever-popular pecan pie.

We think the best way to eat a pecan is simply to crack it open and enjoy.

Here are some interesting pecan facts from the Georgia Department of Agriculture:

• Early settlers exchanged pecans for trinkets and tools.

• Thomas Jefferson planted pecan trees around Monticello.

• By 1871, several large pecan groves had been planted in most of the southeastern United States, including Georgia.

• Georgia’s commercial pecan production began during the late 1800s.

• By 1948, Georgia’s pecan production reached 40 million pounds.

• The Southern Nut Growers Association, later known as the National Nut Growers Association, was established in Albany in 1901.

As we approach the holiday season, we remind our readers pecans make excellent — and relatively inexpensive — holiday gifts, and giving pecans supports the local economy.