Georgia Senate honors Delbert Bland for outstanding achievement
Georgia Senate honors Delbert Bland for outstanding achievement
Members of the Georgia Senate honored Delbert Bland, president and chief executive officer of Bland Farms LLC in Glennville, GA, Feb. 5 for his significant contributions to the state's economic health and wellbeing.
Bland Farms began growing Vidalia onions on five acres in 1982. From those humble roots, growing operations burgeoned over the years beyond the borders of the Peach State and into Utah, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California, Texas and Peru.
Sens. Jack Hill and Tommie Williams introduced Senate Resolution 802. "They had called a week ahead of time to ask me to be [in Atlanta]," Mr. Bland told The Produce News. While he was told he was going to be presented with an award, Mr. Bland had no idea the Senate would recognize his lifetime of achievement to the state's vibrant economy.
The resolution stated, in part:
"Whereas, [Mr. Bland] has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his many years of outstanding service as owner of Bland Farms, the largest grower, packer and shipper of sweet onions in the United States;
"Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate that the members of this body commend Delbert Bland for his many years of efficient, effective, unselfish and dedicated public service and extend to him their most sincere wishes for continued health and happiness."
"I was very appreciative. I was very humbled," Mr. Bland said of this recognition. "I've been truly blessed."
He added, "Vidalia onions were alive and well when I first came on the scene." Statewide, 400 acres were under production in Georgia in the early 1980s. As Mr. Bland recalled, he and his father decided to get into the business. "Me and my father tried five acres and made a total disaster of it," he laughed. For that initial effort, the Blands were rewarded with only a single load of onions.
But they were stubborn and persevered. "Dad set out to prove he could grow. And I set out to prove I could sell," Mr. Bland went on to say.
As the growing operation became successful, Mr. Bland said he was approached by individuals who were interested in buying the company. When an offer was tendered that included a management deal, Mr. Bland took what he thought was exciting news to his father. "My dad was old school," Mr. Bland confided. "Dad said he hadn't worked hard all his life to see his children sack onions for someone else."
The words were prophetic and made an impression on Mr. Bland. Today, two of his three children are involved with Bland Farms operations.
Innovations in sweet onion marketing have spelled success for the firm. Strategically placed ads in magazines and mail-order publications helped to give Vidalia onions household recognition. In 1985, Mr. Bland visited a citrus- packing operation in Florida and saw product stickers -- today's easily recognized PLUs -- for the first time. "I brought the equipment back and started stickering onions," he said. Bland Farms also decided to market Vidalias using graphic boxes to give them increased visibility in the produce department.
With the advent of controlled-atmosphere storage in 1990, Mr. Bland said that the company's position was strengthened. Vidalias, which were marketed only for six weeks, became available for four to five months. The business relationships that Mr. Bland developed for all sweet onion varieties handled by Bland Farms have resulted in the current successful year-round sweet onion program.
The work has been a labor of love for Mr. Bland. "God don't want no weak soldiers in his army," he noted.
This is the third year Bland Farms has marketed the "Rocky Mountain Sweet Onion" for Colorado-based Grant Family Farms. Owner Andy Grant had high praise for Mr. Bland and said he is deserving of this recognition from the Georgia Senate. "Delbert is a uniquely, wonderfully southern Georgian," Mr. Grant stated. "He has brought a passion to Vidalias and sweet onions."
Bland Farms began growing Vidalia onions on five acres in 1982. From those humble roots, growing operations burgeoned over the years beyond the borders of the Peach State and into Utah, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California, Texas and Peru.
Sens. Jack Hill and Tommie Williams introduced Senate Resolution 802. "They had called a week ahead of time to ask me to be [in Atlanta]," Mr. Bland told The Produce News. While he was told he was going to be presented with an award, Mr. Bland had no idea the Senate would recognize his lifetime of achievement to the state's vibrant economy.
The resolution stated, in part:
"Whereas, [Mr. Bland] has diligently and conscientiously devoted innumerable hours of his time, talents and energy toward the betterment of his community and state as evidenced dramatically by his many years of outstanding service as owner of Bland Farms, the largest grower, packer and shipper of sweet onions in the United States;
"Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate that the members of this body commend Delbert Bland for his many years of efficient, effective, unselfish and dedicated public service and extend to him their most sincere wishes for continued health and happiness."
"I was very appreciative. I was very humbled," Mr. Bland said of this recognition. "I've been truly blessed."
He added, "Vidalia onions were alive and well when I first came on the scene." Statewide, 400 acres were under production in Georgia in the early 1980s. As Mr. Bland recalled, he and his father decided to get into the business. "Me and my father tried five acres and made a total disaster of it," he laughed. For that initial effort, the Blands were rewarded with only a single load of onions.
But they were stubborn and persevered. "Dad set out to prove he could grow. And I set out to prove I could sell," Mr. Bland went on to say.
As the growing operation became successful, Mr. Bland said he was approached by individuals who were interested in buying the company. When an offer was tendered that included a management deal, Mr. Bland took what he thought was exciting news to his father. "My dad was old school," Mr. Bland confided. "Dad said he hadn't worked hard all his life to see his children sack onions for someone else."
The words were prophetic and made an impression on Mr. Bland. Today, two of his three children are involved with Bland Farms operations.
Innovations in sweet onion marketing have spelled success for the firm. Strategically placed ads in magazines and mail-order publications helped to give Vidalia onions household recognition. In 1985, Mr. Bland visited a citrus- packing operation in Florida and saw product stickers -- today's easily recognized PLUs -- for the first time. "I brought the equipment back and started stickering onions," he said. Bland Farms also decided to market Vidalias using graphic boxes to give them increased visibility in the produce department.
With the advent of controlled-atmosphere storage in 1990, Mr. Bland said that the company's position was strengthened. Vidalias, which were marketed only for six weeks, became available for four to five months. The business relationships that Mr. Bland developed for all sweet onion varieties handled by Bland Farms have resulted in the current successful year-round sweet onion program.
The work has been a labor of love for Mr. Bland. "God don't want no weak soldiers in his army," he noted.
This is the third year Bland Farms has marketed the "Rocky Mountain Sweet Onion" for Colorado-based Grant Family Farms. Owner Andy Grant had high praise for Mr. Bland and said he is deserving of this recognition from the Georgia Senate. "Delbert is a uniquely, wonderfully southern Georgian," Mr. Grant stated. "He has brought a passion to Vidalias and sweet onions."
