LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Highlights Local Pecan Farmer’s Mission

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, recognized Jady Regard for his entrepreneurial spirit and passion for the pecan industry. From the Cane River Pecan Company to his support for making the pecan the national nut of the United States, Regard is an inspiring story of hard work and creativity. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency.

Read his full May 2026 Local Spotlight below:

Jady Regard is about Louisiana, about the United States of America, and like all about pecans.

Growing up, he and his family called themselves "the nutcrackers".

Now, that's not a joke. They kind of like that. And so the family nickname turned into a family business.

Now, there is a great book called Good to Great which talks about adapting your business, going from good to great.

And if there's room to grow, even if it requires change, you've got to change if you want to grow until you're the best at what you do.

That's what Jady did with the Cane River Pecan Company.

Now, Jady knows just about everything there is to know about pecans.

He can tell you about the history of pecan farming here in Louisiana and indeed here in the United States.

Jady is a visionary. He thinks we need a national nut. Not Jady, but the pecan to be our national nut. Of course, why?

Because the pecan, by the way, and I think this is interesting. I mean Jady just is infectious with his enthusiasm.

The pecan is the only nut that is domestic. So Jady's point is we got a national bird, the bald eagle. A national flower, the rose. And the national nut, the only domestic nut.

By the way, there is a great Louisiana angle.

When Jady has a vision, he sees it through. And that's something we can all learn as we all seek to go from good to great.

When the pecan becomes the national nut of the United States of America, it's what I will expect.

We in Louisiana will know who's behind it. And I look forward to it.

Background

In April, Cassidy highlighted Amanda Ratcliff of New Orleans, Louisiana. Ratcliff's business, Buttery Spell, offers products that reflect flavors and culture of her hometown.

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