Vidalia, GA — This year the Vidalia® Onion Committee (VOC) announced the Farm of the Year, Hall of Fame as well as debuted the new Service Excellence award during their annual banquet on February 7. Approximately 250 people attended the “Denim and Diamonds” themed banquet at the Hawks Point Golf Club in Vidalia, Georgia.
Each year, the Vidalia Onion Committee selects a grower or overall farm of the year to recognize overall achievement and success as a producer of Vidalia Onions with an emphasis on quality production and compliance with the Marketing Order. The farm must meet the following requirements:
1. Registered Vidalia® onion grower
2. Has submitted reports and payments in a timely manner
3. Has had no or few complaints to the Committee Office
4. Conforms to the standards set forth in the Order
5. Enhances and supports brand recognition
The 2014 Grower of the Year was awarded to McLain Farms. McLain Farms is a 2nd generation family farm, owned and operated by brothers, Brett and Rusty McLain. McLain Farms began growing Vidalia onions in 1985 with just 12 acres and built their first cold storage in 1994. McLain Farms has continued to grow and expand its facilities, which now grows over 375 acres of onions.
Derek Levy, a local account manager for Bayer Cropscience was awarded the Committee’s debut Service Excellence Award. This award was established to recognize dedication and diligence to the Vidalia Onion Industry.
During the banquet, Senator Jack Hill was also inducted into the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame for his instrumental work in establishing the Vidalia Onion Research Center. Senator Hill was instrumental in solidifying the collaboration between the University of Georgia College of
Agriculture, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. In fact, he valued this cooperation as an example of how State departments should look for ways to work together.
The Vidalia® Onion Hall of Fame award honors a person who has significantly and positively impacted the Vidalia Onion industry.
1. Protects & promotes the Vidalia® Onion name
2. Protects & promotes the quality of the Vidalia® Onion
3. Advertises & promotes the Vidalia® Onion
4. Uses creative sales methods for Vidalia® Onions
5. Promotes research & development of the Vidalia® Onion
6. Demonstrates dedication to the success of the Vidalia® brand and the industry as a whole
The awards were presented by Vidalia Onion Committee Chairman Jason Herndon. “I was honored to present the Grower of the Year Award to McLain Farms who recognize excellence in quality, production and service to the Vidalia Onion Committee. And Derek Levy has contributed so much time and effort to our industry, the new Service Excellence Award was well deserved as it recognizes his passion, dedication and ongoing service.” “Senator Jack Hill has long been an avid friend of the Vidalia onion industry. He served for many years as public member of the Vidalia Onion Committee.”
About the Vidalia® Onion Committee
Because Vidalia® onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia® onions. The Vidalia® Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia® trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia®,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
Source: Vidalia® Onion Committee
