Vidalia Onion Committee announces award winners
Vidalia Onion Committee announces award winners
The Vidalia Onion Committee in Vidalia, GA, announced the 2006 winners for Hall of Fame and Grower of the Year at its annual Growers' Celebration Feb. 3.
The 2006 Grower of the Year award was presented posthumously to Wayne Douberly of Vidalia. Mr. Douberly died in October; his wife, Frances, accepted the award on his behalf.
Mr. Douberly began farming with his father in 1958 right out of high school, growing vegetables in Homestead, FL. He farmed there throughout the 1960s and then moved his family to Vidalia in 1970 and began raising cattle. He did that for nearly two decades, then in 1989 went back to his roots and started growing vegetables again -- including Vidalia onions.
In 1994, Mr. Douberly went into business with Rick Berry of Oconee River Produce, building a controlled-atmosphere storage facility for onions. He also served on the Vidalia Onion Committee and was very supportive of the community's younger farmers as they tried to get started in the Vidalia onion industry.
Receiving the 2006 Hall of Fame honor was Bill Brown, owner of Brown Implement & Milling in Lyons, GA. Mr. Brown is a lifelong resident of Toombs County.
He first worked with his father in a local grocery store, and as a young man he traded mules, raised chickens and even taught a year of high school. He then decided to strike out on his own and began Brown Implement & Milling, a corporation that has been helping many farmers and livestock operators by providing them with the resources necessary to run their businesses.
One of his more influential accomplishments for the Vidalia industry was the introduction of the center-pivot irrigation system. Through the years, he has also served as trustee for Brewton Parker College, director of Peoples Bank of Lyons and other roles in the community, such as his support of his church, United Fellowship Church.
Outgoing committee Chairman John Shuman of Shuman Produce in Reidsville, GA, was also presented with a plaque for his dedication to the onion committee this past year.
The Grower of the Year award recognizes overall achievement and success as a Vidalia onion producer with an emphasis on quality production and compliance with the marketing order.
Membership in the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame honors a person who has significantly and positively influenced the Vidalia onion industry.
The 2006 Grower of the Year award was presented posthumously to Wayne Douberly of Vidalia. Mr. Douberly died in October; his wife, Frances, accepted the award on his behalf.
Mr. Douberly began farming with his father in 1958 right out of high school, growing vegetables in Homestead, FL. He farmed there throughout the 1960s and then moved his family to Vidalia in 1970 and began raising cattle. He did that for nearly two decades, then in 1989 went back to his roots and started growing vegetables again -- including Vidalia onions.
In 1994, Mr. Douberly went into business with Rick Berry of Oconee River Produce, building a controlled-atmosphere storage facility for onions. He also served on the Vidalia Onion Committee and was very supportive of the community's younger farmers as they tried to get started in the Vidalia onion industry.
Receiving the 2006 Hall of Fame honor was Bill Brown, owner of Brown Implement & Milling in Lyons, GA. Mr. Brown is a lifelong resident of Toombs County.
He first worked with his father in a local grocery store, and as a young man he traded mules, raised chickens and even taught a year of high school. He then decided to strike out on his own and began Brown Implement & Milling, a corporation that has been helping many farmers and livestock operators by providing them with the resources necessary to run their businesses.
One of his more influential accomplishments for the Vidalia industry was the introduction of the center-pivot irrigation system. Through the years, he has also served as trustee for Brewton Parker College, director of Peoples Bank of Lyons and other roles in the community, such as his support of his church, United Fellowship Church.
Outgoing committee Chairman John Shuman of Shuman Produce in Reidsville, GA, was also presented with a plaque for his dedication to the onion committee this past year.
The Grower of the Year award recognizes overall achievement and success as a Vidalia onion producer with an emphasis on quality production and compliance with the marketing order.
Membership in the Vidalia Onion Hall of Fame honors a person who has significantly and positively influenced the Vidalia onion industry.
