Author: Paula Beemer

Categories
Events

Green Valley Pecan Company to Offer Orchard Tours

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is offering a limited series of guided orchard tours for the general public starting in December. A total of six tours will be offered over the next several months, starting with the first tour scheduled on Dec. 5. The orchard tours will educate the public on the rich history of the valley, the life cycle of pecans, and what it takes to successfully grow pecans. To purchase a $12 ticket, visit GreenValleyPecan.com.

Tours include an authentic farm tractor and wagon ride that lasts approximately one hour and will be led by one of Green Valley Pecan Company’s experts in the industry. Guests will see all stages of the process, from the young trees in the pecan nursery to the full grown trees in the orchard. There will be opportunities to take photos under the trees. The tour also includes a stop at the Pecan Store for an exclusive pecan sampling experience.

“Everyone here at Green Valley Pecan Company is committed to serving our community. After the cancellation of this year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival, we knew we still wanted to find a way to share our orchards with the public,” said Paula Beemer, Event Coordinator/Marketing Manager. “Green Valley Pecan Company values our relationship and history with the region and we’re excited to offer this unique opportunity, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the innerworkings of our farm.”

Since it is an active farm, tours are limited to 25 people and only for a certain time of the year. Weather and ongoing farm activity may affect the orchard tour schedule. These tours are not wheelchair or walker accessible due to uneven ground and steps up to the wagon. No pets are allowed on the tours. Children are welcome but the tours are adult-oriented.

For more information about Green Valley Pecan Company, please visit GreenValleyPecan.com, or follow the Green Valley Pecan Company on Facebook (/GreenValleyPecanCompany), Instagram (@green_pecanstore), and Twitter (@PecanStore).

Categories
News

FICO cancels 2019 Sahuarita Pecan Festival

(SAHUARITA, Ariz.)  Today, Farmers Investment Co announced that it was cancelling the 2019 Sahuarita Pecan Festival due to global economic conditions, particularly those affecting the pecan market resulting from the imposition of trade tariffs.

“We are disappointed to cancel the Pecan Festival this year, but we believe we owe it to our employees to focus our resources on our core business,” said Dick Walden FICO President and CEO. “You can be assured that FICO remains committed to Sahuarita and Green Valley and will continue to invest in our community and region as a wonderful place to live and work.”

Today, FICO emailed letters to vendors and sponsors making them aware of the cancellation and indicating that refunds for sponsorships and vendor fees will be sent within 30-days.

FICO is also exploring different meansby which it can share with the public the FICO/Green Valley Pecan story instead of the festival.

For more than six decades, the Walden family has owned and operated Farmers Investment Co. and the Green Valley Pecan Company. Today, FICO is one of the world’s largest grower and processor of quality pecans.

Categories
Community Events News Pecan Classic

Orchard Series Continues on July 27 with 9th Annual Breeze in the Trees 5K

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is hosting the 9th Annual Breeze in the Trees 5K on Saturday, July 27, 2019. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Green Valley Pecan Farm, starting on the east side of the new cold storage building. Registration and bib pickup on the day of the race opens at 5:30 a.m. at the FICO park on the west side of the building. Cost is $30 and t-shirts are guaranteed for entries received by July 17. All ages are welcome; no dogs allowed on the course. Registration is available online through Tagg Running Events.

The Breeze in the Trees 5K is the second of three races in the Orchard Series, counting down to the 11th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival and the Pecan Classic on Nov. 9. These races offer participants a unique inside look at the farm by running under the trees on dirt roads and trails. The Orchard Series kicked off with the Nut Run on April 27.

The Breeze in the Trees event is once again benefiting Men’s Active 20-30 Club of Tucson, a service organization of men and women in their 20s and 30s who have a passion for improving the lives of children in the Tucson area. The Active 20-30 Club of Tucson has a distinguished and honored history as one of Arizona’s most prestigious and active fundraising men’s clubs. Since the club’s inception, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and thousands of hours have been dedicated to local children’s charities, including Beads of Courage, Tucson Alliance for Autism, and Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Children.

All runners and guests can enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast served by the Green Valley Firefighter’s Association and the Pecan Store is offering a 10 percent discount that weekend for race participants. For more information regarding this event, please visit http://taggrun.com. For information regarding FICO/Green Valley Pecan Company, please contact Paula Beemer at (520) 248-1219 or email pbeemer@greenvalleypecan.com.

“Men’s Active 20-30 Club of Tucson is dedicated to serving our community’s children and we’re honored to once again partner with them for the Breeze in the Trees 5K on July 27,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator. “This race, now in its ninth year, is always a local favorite; runners and walkers can experience racing through the beautiful pecan orchard followed by a delicious pancake breakfast thanks to the hardworking men and women of the Green Valley Firefighter’s Association.” 

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past 10 years, the Festival has raised more than $114,000 for the community. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Community Crafts Events Food Jewelry Marketplace News

Vendor Applications for the Sahuarita Pecan Festival Open to General Public Starting June 1

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company will begin accepting vendor applications from the general public for the 11th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on June 1, 2019. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, is held on the grounds of Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahuarita, Ariz. and draws approximately 20,000 visitors every year. The Festival is a family-focused, community oriented one-day event; this year the Festival will pay special tribute to teachers and other local educators. The Festival features food vendors, shopping with local artisans, Arabian horse demonstrations, horse-drawn hay wagon rides, entertainment, tractor pulling competitions, the Pecan Store, and much more. For more information on how to become a vendor, please visit www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival also features artisans for the marketplace, and community organizations. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is seeking vendors that will enhance the atmosphere of the Festival. This event highlights regional and local businesses, particularly those with locally grown foods or products of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Those interested in being a vendor must fill out an application, which is subject to approval by a committee. The deadline for vendor registration is Oct. 1, 2019; however, spaces are limited and will fill up quickly.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a day for our neighbors to come together and celebrate our community, our region’s history, and special for this year, our educators! Vendors at the Festival will help highlight the best our community has to offer—unique, handmade items that make great holiday gifts, as well as delicious food from local businesses. We have a limited number of spots for vendors, so those interested should submit an application soon!” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past 10 years, the Festival has raised more than $114,000 for the community. For more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (@SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Community Events News Pecan Classic

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Raises $18,000 for Community

Next Year’s Festival Scheduled for Nov. 9, 2019

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – On Saturday, November 10, 2018, Green Valley Pecan Company hosted the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival at its pecan farm. Families and friends celebrated the Festival’s 10th anniversary with horse-drawn wagon rides, pecan cracking contests, tractor pull contests, a pecan pie contest, and other activities. This year’s Festival—with the highest attendance to date—was dedicated to farmers and their essential work to feed communities worldwide.

Sahuarita Pecan Festival 2014

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival kicked off in the morning with the 10th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run—hosted by Tagg Running Events—that led 290 runners and walkers through the pecan orchard. The top male finisher in the 3.3-mile was 47-year-old Daryll Brosanders from Tucson with a time of 20:52.9; the top female finisher was 34-year-old Lauren Reasoner from Sahuarita with a time of 22:46.4.

Fourteen pies were entered in the Festival’s Pecan Pie Contest, hosted by Mama’s Hawaiian Bar-B-Cue. The 2018 winner was Meghan Predenkoski of Tucson. In second place was Hannah Gardner of Rio Rico and in third place was Miroslava Peterson of Sahuarita. They all used Green Valley Pecans as the main ingredient in their pies. Participants were judged by Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun editor Dan Shearer, Arizona Illustrated host Tom McNamara, Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Erceg, Continental Elementary School District Superintendent Roxana Rico, retired actor Michael Caprio who performed in well-known productions such as “Amistad” and “The Sopranos,” and a randomly selected member of the audience.

As a major annual event in the Sahuarita and Green Valley communities, the Sahuarita Pecan Festival helps support local volunteer groups and non-profits. This year, $18,000 was raised, a portion of which will be distributed to local community groups within the coming weeks, including: Valle Verde Rotary/Interact, Boy Scouts of America Troop 301, Walden Student Council, Walden Grad Night/Boosters, Walden Grove Wolfpack Football, SEEF, Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center, Sahuarita Police Explorers, Southern Arizona Project Healing Waters, Walden Grove Law & Public Safety, Tucson Synchro, Walden Grove Camera Club, Green Valley – Amado Community Food Bank, Sahuarita 4H Club, SUSD Construction Club, Elks, United Prospect Dancers, AZ Rangers, and The First Tee of Tucson. In total, the Festival has raised more than $100,000 for the community over the past 10 years.

“This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival marked 10 years of Green Valley Pecan Company giving back to the community. We were able to showcase the contributions of farmers and the farming industry, all while providing a family-friendly event that helps raise funds for local non-profits and service groups. We’ll be back next year on Nov. 9 for the 11th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival!” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009; over the past 10 years, the Festival has raised more than $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Agricultural Community Crafts Events Food Jewelry Marketplace News Partner Pecan Classic Pecan Store Sponsor

10th Anniversary of Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Nov. 10

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is hosting the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The festival, which is held on the Green Valley Pecan farm, runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. There will be $5 on-site parking available immediately south of the Festival grounds with a portion of the proceeds benefiting groups volunteering at the event. A free shuttle service will also be available from Sahuarita School District and Walden Grove High School. This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival is dedicated to farmers and their essential work to feed communities worldwide.

This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival attractions include:

  • The 10th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run, starting at 8 a.m. Register online at taggrun.com. Participants will receive a free race t-shirt; top qualifiers in the Pecan Classic will win pecan-themed awards. Members of the Sahuarita 4-H Club will volunteer at the race and receive a portion of the funds for their activities.
  • A Kids Area—to include bounce houses, bungee jumping, a rock climbing wall, the Boy Scouts monkey bridge, petting zoo, craft activities and Arabian horse demonstrations presented by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association.
  • Arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace, selling mostly, locally made, unique items perfect for holiday shopping.
  • A large area of Food vendors from all over Southern Arizona, preparing BBQ, sweets, and treats.
  • A Heritage Area, featuring tractor pull contests and antique tractor displays.
  • Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations. Cost is $2 per person (free for kids four years old or younger). All proceeds go directly to the Community Food Bank – Green Valley/Amado.
  • A Pecan Pie Contest, sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The entry fee is $10 and the registration form is due on Nov. 10. Open to all ages!
  • Pecan cracking contests.
  • Special entertainment guests include the Walden Grove High School dance team (The PAC), Southern Reins Band, Grizzly Band, and more.
  • Commemorative Festival items for purchase, including tote bags, t-shirts, lapel pins, and posters. In addition to the Festival, these items can be purchased in advance of the event at the Pecan Store.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival turns 10! We’re making our 10th anniversary the best one yet, featuring the America’s Got Talent famous dancers from Walden Grove’s PAC dance team, unique farming and pecan interactive activities, and the best gifts offered in the Santa Cruz Valley! We’re honoring the contributions of farmers this year and we’re excited to invite the community to celebrate with us,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The success of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a result of the collaboration of Green Valley Pecan Company and its community partners through various sponsorships. Major sponsors of the 2018 Festival include: Desert Diamond Casinos, Crown Community Development, Day’s Excavating, Meritage Homes, Sierra Mining & Crushing LLC, Stotz Equipment, Green Valley News, and KGUN 9 on Your Side.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised more than $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Community Pecan Classic

2018 Breeze In The Trees 5k Is Almost Here

2017 Pecan Classic / Nut Run

ORCHARD SERIES CONTINUES ON JULY 28 WITH 8TH ANNUAL BREEZE IN THE TREES 5K

Men’s Active 20-30 Club of Tucson Named Event Beneficiary

2017 Pecan Classic / Nut RunSAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is hosting the 8th Annual Breeze in the Trees 5K on Saturday, July 28, 2018. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Green Valley Pecan Farm, starting near the Pecan Store on the east side of the building. Registration and bib pickup on the day of the race opens at 5:30 a.m. Cost is $35 after July 1. All ages are welcome; no dogs allowed on the course. Registration is available online through Tagg Running Events.

The Breeze in the Trees 5K is the second of three races in the Orchard Series, counting down to the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival and the Pecan Classic on Nov. 10. These races offer participants a unique inside look at the farm by running under the trees on dirt roads and trails. The Orchard Series kicked off with the Nut Run on April 28.

This year, the Breeze in the Trees event is benefiting Men’s Active 20-30 Club of Tucson, a service organization of men and women in their 20s and 30s who have a passion for improving the lives of children in the Tucson area. The Active 20-30 Club of Tucson has a distinguished and honored history as one of Arizona’s most prestigious and active fundraising men’s clubs. Since the club’s inception, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised and thousands of hours have been dedicated to local children’s charities, including Beads of Courage, Tucson Alliance for Autism, and Therapeutic Ranch for Animals and Children.

All runners and guests can enjoy a complimentary pancake breakfast served by the Green Valley Firefighter’s Association and the Pecan Store is offering a 10 percent discount that weekend for race participants. For more information regarding this event, please visit www.taggrun.com. For information regarding FICO/Green Valley Pecan Company, please contact Paula Beemer at (520) 248-1219 or by email.

“The Breeze in the Trees 5K is the perfect mid-summer race, offering participants the unique experience of racing under the pecan trees on the Green Valley Pecan farm,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator. “We’re welcoming back the Men’s Active 20-30 Club of Tucson as the event beneficiary. They are dedicated to serving our community’s children and we’re honored to partner up with them for the 8th Annual Breeze in the Trees 5K.”

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 25,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Community Crafts Food Jewelry Marketplace News

Accepting Vendor Applications for the 2018 Sahuarita Pecan Festival

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company will begin accepting vendor applications from the general public for the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on June 1. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, is held on the grounds of Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahuarita, Ariz. and draws approximately 25,000 visitors every year. The Festival is a family-focused, community oriented one-day event. It features the Pecan Store, food vendors, shopping with local artisans, Arabian horse demonstrations, horse-drawn hay wagon rides, entertainment, tractor pulling competitions, and much more. For more information on how to become a vendor, please visit www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com/vendors.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival also features local vendors, including food vendors, artisans for the marketplace, and community organizations. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is seeking vendors that will enhance the atmosphere of the Festival. This event highlights regional and local businesses, particularly those with locally grown foods or products of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Those interested in being a vendor must fill out an application, which is subject to approval by a committee. The deadline for vendor registration is Oct. 1, 2018; however, spaces are limited and will fill up quickly.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a day for our neighbors to come together and celebrate our community and our region’s history. Our vendors highlight the best our community has to offer—unique, handmade items that make great holiday gifts, as well as delicious food from local businesses. We have a limited number of spots for vendors, so those interested should submit an application soon!” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 25,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Agricultural Community Events Sponsor

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Now Accepting Sponsorship Applications

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is now accepting sponsorship applications for the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival, held on the grounds of Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahuarita, Ariz., draws approximately 25,000 visitors every year and is a family-focused, community oriented one-day event. The Festival features the Pecan Store, food vendors, shopping with local artisans, Arabian horse demonstrations, horse-drawn hay wagon rides, entertainment, tractor pulling competitions, and much more. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, download our information package.

Sponsorship of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is the perfect way to reach the growing, prosperous market of young families and active adults in the Santa Cruz River Valley. Sponsors will be part of an aggressive marketing campaign utilizing Festival media partners, digital and print advertising, and social media promotion. Sponsorship levels range from $750 up to $10,000; the number of sponsorship slots is limited. The Festival sponsorship deadline for final media exposure is Sept. 14, 2018.

“This year we’re celebrating our 10th Anniversary—that’s 10 years of giving back to the community and providing a full day of family friendly activities, rooted in the history of this region. We’re excited to share the Sahuarita Pecan Festival with local businesses through various sponsorship opportunities. Nov. 10 is a day for all of us to show our support of our community,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 25,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Categories
Community News Pecan Classic

Beneficiary Selected For The 6th Annual Nut Run 5k On April 28

2017 Pecan Classic / Nut Run

Continental School District Educational Foundation Selected As Beneficiary Of Green Valley Pecan Company’s 6th Annual Nut Run 5k

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company has named the Continental School District Educational Foundation as the beneficiary of this year’s Nut Run 5K Run/Walk. As part of this partnership, volunteers with the Foundation will participate in this annual community event. The Nut Run will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2018 and starts at 8 a.m. at Green Valley Pecan Company. Previous recipients of the Nut Run include Sahuarita 4H, Green Valley Senior Games, Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation, and Sahuarita Unified School District.

As this year’s event beneficiary, Continental School District Educational Foundation will be the recipient of a portion of the funds raised through race registrations. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the educational excellence of children. Bonnie Klahr, President of the Continental School District Educational Foundation, said, “Since the inception of the Continental School District Educational Foundation, the Walden family and FICO have shown their commitment to support its mission to enhance the educational experience of our children. We are extremely grateful to be the recipient of the 2018 Nut Run Grant. It will enable CSDEF to continue to provide CSD students with creative art and music programs.”

The Nut Run 5K Run/Walk is the first of three races in the “Orchard Series,” which takes runners through Green Valley Pecan Company’s pecan orchards. Those registered by April 19 will receive a free race t-shirt, a 10 percent discount at the Green Valley Pecan Store, and the top three finishers in each age division will receive awards. Registration, bib pickup, and transition area opens at 7 am. All ages are welcome; no dogs allowed on the course. Registration is available online through Tagg Running Events at https://www.taggrun.com/event/nut-run-5k-4/. Participants that sign up by April 28 for all three races in the Orchard Series will receive a Boco Hat.

“The Orchard Series runs are the perfect opportunity for FICO is highlight great organizations in the community by naming one as a beneficiary of the event,” said Deborah Walden-Ralls, Owner/VP of Risk Management. “We’re teaming up with Continental School District Educational Foundation for this year’s  Nut Run to show our continued support for students, parents, and teachers.”

For more information regarding this event please visit http://taggrun.com. For information regarding FICO/Green Valley Pecan Company, please contact Paula Beemer (520) 248-1219 or email us.