Cuero Online News | June 13, 2026

Yoakum, Tx-There are places in Texas where time seems to settle into the soil—where history isn’t something you read about, but something you can feel under your boots. South Texas Pecans, perched on a quiet rise outside Yoakum, is one of those places. For more than a century, this family farm has carried forward a tradition of stewardship, innovation, and deep‑rooted pride in the land that has sustained generations.

The story begins in 1918, when the Vahalik family purchased the original acreage. A year later, Ed Vahalik Sr. planted the first pecan tree—a simple act that would shape the identity of the farm for decades to come. In 1971, the next chapter unfolded as Harvey G. Hoermann established the creek‑bottom orchard, laying out rows of pecan trees that still stretch across the landscape today.

Agriculture runs strong in the Hoermann bloodline. Harvey’s son, Steve, followed his calling to Texas A&M University, earning a degree in horticulture before returning home to cultivate tomatoes, peaches, and an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables. For more than 30 years, he nurtured the land with a blend of science, intuition, and respect for the rhythms of nature.

Today, the orchard thrives under the care of Steve’s son, Jason Hoermann, who manages everything from irrigation to harvest. His hands‑on approach ensures that every pecan, peach, and blackberry meets the high standards customers have come to expect. His wife, Sharon, brings the harvest to the people—selling online, by phone, and at market days across Texas. Together, they’ve transformed the family legacy into a modern, community‑focused agricultural business.

Across DeWitt and Lavaca counties, the family now tends over 100 acres of irrigated pecan trees, representing varieties such as Caddo, Cheyenne, Choctaw, Desirable, Prilop, Sioux, and others. And the orchard continues to evolve. In recent years, the Hoermanns expanded into peaches, blackberries, white seedless table grapes, and seasonal vegetables. Their “pick‑your‑own” orchard invites visitors to slow down, savor the moment, and experience the joy of harvesting straight from the field.

What You’ll Find at South Texas Pecans

Fresh, Pre‑Picked Produce
Yellow squash
Calabaza squash
Yellow onions
Tomatoes
Salad cucumbers
Green beans
Green bell peppers
Okra
Sweet banana peppers

Pecan Specialties & Handmade Goods
Pecans
Candied pecans
Jarred items
Candles
Soap, lotion & dish soap made with pecan oil

U‑Pick Experiences
Peaches (freestone varieties currently ripe)
Blackberries
Green beans
Tomatoes
Okra
Flowers: zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers

Special Highlight
A $1‑per‑pound tomato sale and freestone peaches ready for picking—perfect for families, home canners, and anyone who loves the taste of summer.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own containers, and wagons are always welcome.

Where to Find Them

South Texas Pecans
1795 County Road 329
Yoakum, TX 77995
Look for the tan building on the hill with the double‑gate entrance.

Google Maps:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C3JdP64MsRhZsFiV8

Cash and card accepted.

South Texas Pecans is more than an orchard—it’s a living archive of family history, agricultural passion, and the enduring spirit of rural Texas. With every pecan harvested and every peach picked, the Hoermann family continues a legacy more than a century in the making. And for visitors, it’s a chance to step into that story, even if just for an afternoon.