G&R Farms promotes senior team members

G&R Farms, a third-generation premier Vidalia onion grower in southeast Georgia, promoted two senior team members, Steven Shuman and Cliff Riner, to executive-level management.

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. He began with the company as sales manager and later director of sales. With his latest promotion, Shuman will be serving as the general manager and vice president 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. I’m humbled by the recognition and new role and ready to help move the company to the next level,” Shuman said.

Newly promoted vice president of ag production and grower relations, 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.

Riner's advancements in those areas have earned him his latest promotion as he continues to expand the quality programming for G&R. “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,” he said. “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,” said CEO Blake Dasher. “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.”

Photo: Steven Shuman and Cliff Riner