The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) has selected John Shuman, president and CEO of Shuman Farms in Cobbtown, Georgia, as the 2020 Grower of the Year in recognition of his more than 25 years of contributions to the industry.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Buck Shuman, who began growing Vidalia onions in the 1980s, John Shuman took over his family’s farm in the early 1990s. Today, Shuman Farms is one of the largest growers of Vidalia onions.
Shuman has served as VOC chairman and chairman of the board of the Southeast Produce Council. In addition, he founded in 2002 what is now known as the Healthy Family project, which has raised more than $7 million to benefit children and families. Shuman Farms also gives annual donations to Feeding America and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
