Farmhouse Kitchen, November 2026
Patiently planted pecans grown with gratitude are a staple for Randolph County’s Bran and Karla Futral.
“We see God’s hand over Futral Farms,” Karla said. “We always give credit for trying to be good stewards of the land we’ve got. There’s no way we could have ever done this without our Creator.”
When the Texas-native high school sweethearts moved to Alabama in 1998, farming wasn’t part of the plan. Their property in Woodland was nestled near Bran’s grandparents and consisted mostly of open land.
One call to horticulture specialists at Auburn University changed that in 2012.
“Bran was encouraged to start growing pecans,” Karla said. “We joined the Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA) and planted our first tree in 2013.”
More than a decade later, the Futrals’ orchard has grown into a picturesque landscape of more than 600 trees producing Sweet Grown Alabama pecans for wholesale and retail markets. Their commitment to the industry extends beyond the orchard. They are members of the Randolph County Farmers Federation and the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association. Bran also serves as APGA president.
For Karla, pecans are more than a crunchy crop sprinkled into holiday dishes. They’re part of her family’s story, connecting years of work among the trees with recipes and traditions shared with her and Bran’s three children and six grandchildren.
“Food is a key part of being together,” Karla said. “I wanted a designated time to spend with my local grandchildren, so I started Nana’s Table. We spend every Tuesday morning together for breakfast and Bible stories. My mom influenced my kids; now, I strive to inspire my grandkids.”
That influence is also baked into recipes Karla has carried with her since childhood.
One is a Coconut Italian Cream Cake she began making when she was 9. The recipe became a Thanksgiving tradition. Back then, pecans came from the grocery store. Now, Karla reaches for pecans grown in the orchard outside her home.
A tradition of gathering over food was instilled in Karla long before she became Nana. Growing up in Texas, she remembers her mother cooking nearly every meal. The farm’s branding pays homage to those Lone Star State roots. A large star anchors the logo, and three smaller stars represent their children.
While family is a cornerstone of Futral Farms, Karla credits Bran’s vision and grit with turning their once-open land into the orchard it is today.
“When he does something, he does it big. He doesn’t do it halfway,” Karla said. “He takes great pride in everything.”