AJC
Atlanta Forward: Regional economy
Pecans spill into barrels in the Color Sorting Room at the Harrell Nut Company plant in Camilla (GA) on Thursday Feb 9, 2012. President/CEO Marty Harrell says the plant handles about a half million pounds of pecans a day during the peak season. Pecan orchards are harvesting mostly from mid October through Christmas.
Today's moderator: Rick Badie
Rick Badie joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an education reporter in 1997. A South Georgia native, he's covered the region's immigrant communities, was a feature obituary writer and opinion columnist for the AJC's Gwinnett edition.
If you find pecans pricey this holiday season, some credit goes to the Chinese middle class. They're crazy about pecans produced in Georgia, the nation's leading producer of the product. Today, we hear from a South Georgia farmer who sells 90 percent of his crop to China. In another topic, a Metro Atlanta Chamber executive writes about his experience as a guest lecturer at China Jiliang University. To comment, go to: http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-forward/
Today's columnists:
- China goes nuts for pecans by Randy Hudson
- Chinese thirst for knowledge by Jorge Fernandez
