Who are we?

Georgia natives and twin brothers David and Donald Johnson are passionate about pecans. After a few decades in the farm equipment business, they’ve settled into their roles as permanent caretakers of a small pecan orchard in middle Georgia. Some of these trees were planted by their father in the early ‘80’s, while some were planted several decades earlier, and prior to that their grandfather farmed corn, cattle, pigs, and the like upon the same land. Along with the orchard, they tend a small menagerie of goats, pups, and poultry that is a constant source of entertainment.

What’s an Ocmulgee?

We named our farm after the river that traces the perimeter. The Ocmulgee, pronounced “oak-mull-ghee”, is named from the Okmulgee tribe, meaning “where water bubbles up.” The Ocmulgee river has always served as a life source for middle Georgia, first for the Native Americans who came before us, the 19th century inhabitants of Hawkinsville who built upon it a thriving steamboat trade, and for all the farmers whose land has been traced by it. With all it’s different trades, there’s a clear continuity of use, a heritage built upon a connection to the land we inhabit. 

What’s a Sugar Fried Pecan?

Sugar Fried pecans are our specialty that we’ve had as a family recipe for generations. We don’t really remember the origin of it, most likely from a family friend, or possibly an old edition of Southern Living? But it’s been tweaked and perfected and taken on a life of its own. Our fresh shelled pecans are coated in sugar, deep fried in Canola oil and lightly salted to make a unique, decadent treat. They’re a great snack, dessert filling, or topping for salads, sweet potatoes, you name it.

What’s a Desirable Mammoth?

Not in fact, a mammoth that you desire. Desirable is the variety, and mammoth just means a larger pecan. Desirables have a thinner, easier to crack shell then other varieties, a medium oil content and a pretty caramel color. The nut meat is nice sized with good flavor, making it  a great nut for snacking and cooking.

What makes our nuts different?

Our pecans go through several rounds of selection, so what you’re getting is only the best. Moreover, did you know pecans are a fresh ingredient? Yes they can sit in your pantry, but pecans have a high oil content, that dries up and loses its flavor after sitting on a grocery store shelf for nine months. That’s why our nuts are only available in the fall, at our harvest season, because there’s no recreating that taste. (That being said, we recommend freezing our pecans! They’ll stay great for several months in the freezer.) 

How do you pronounce pecan?

Anyway you like. Puh-kahn, pee-cayn: it’s all nuts to us.

How can you sell Sugar Fried Pecans in your store?

 We are always looking for high quality retailers. Contact Donald Johnson: cell 478.290.4770 or donald@ocmulgeeorchards.com