Feb 2, 2023

Vidalia onion’s G&R Farms promotes Shuman, Riner

G&R Farms, a third generation Vidalia onion grower, has promoted Steven Shuman to general manager and vice president of sales and Cliff Riner to vice president of ag production and grower relations.

Shuman joined G&R Farms in 2016 and has been instrumental in the business development and customer service of G&R’s sweet onion programs, according to a news release. He began as sales manager and was promoted to director of sales.

“During my tenure I’ve watched G&R grow into a leading supplier thanks to team tenacity and a willingness to try new things,” Shuman said in the release. “I’m humbled by the recognition and new role and ready to help move the company to the next level.”

Riner joined G&R Farms in 2018 as the research and development manager, eventually moving up to director of production where he managed seed trials, conducted soil analyses, oversaw onion planting and assisted sustainability efforts, especially related to pesticides and fertilizers.

“I have the best job in the world as I get to blend my science and production skills into a job that lets me play in the dirt to create the best food,” Riner said in the release. “I appreciate that G&R has been open to supporting innovative ideas in research and testing to continue to deliver on our mission and bring innovation to the forefront.”

“G&R Farms is a third-generation family business and it’s the people who have made it possible,” CEO Blake Dasher said in the release. “Enough can’t be said about the contributions Steven and Cliff make to grow their roles and the company. To advance processes, assert leadership, and deliver on our promise of quality and service that is embedded into the culture of who we are as a company.”

G&R is a leading sweet onion supplier offering year-round supply of sweet onions from Vidalia and Peru and is known for its signature Growing America’s Farmers cause marketing campaign. Currently, they are in the final stages of installation of a state-of-the-art product line, 8 years in the making, to drastically improve efficiencies and product quality and lower costs. G&R Farms broke records in 2022, raising more than $100,000 in scholarship funds for its Growing America’s Farmers retailer scholarship program, and successfully completed its third Season of Giving retailer program, in support of local charities.