Vidalia Onions Represented at

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Vidalia Onion Business Council Executive Director Shane Curry represented Vidalia’s finest crop on the national stage recently, as he was one of the farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders that President Donald Trump invited to attend the Great American Agriculture Celebration on the White House’s South Lawn.

The Great American Agriculture Celebration marked one of the largest gatherings of farmers and ranchers in White House history, as thousands of agriculture workers and leaders from across the nation all gathered to hear the continued from page

President’s thoughts on the industry.

“I am humbled and honored to receive the invitation and attend the event. This really is a recognition of our farmers and the agricultural importance of Vidalia onions to our state and our nation,” Curry emphasized.

President Trump, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts, House Agricultural Committee Chair G.T. Thompson, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, and several others took time to speak with the men and women who work daily to ensure that there is food and resources available for the American people.

The President highlighted benefits his policies are having on agriculture. The One Big Beautiful Bill locks in historic tax relief, cuts regulatory costs, boosts energy-driven farm income, and provides direct financial support to producers. The legislation makes the elimination of the death tax permanent, protecting more than 2 million family farms, while expanding Section 179 expensing and making the 20% small business deduction permanent, and allowing 100% deduction of the cost of new or used qualifying equipment in the first year of purchase. It also allows farmers to defer capital gains taxes when selling land to other producers who will keep it in agriculture, helping preserve farmland for future generations. At the same time, regulatory reforms right-to-repair guidance and changes to diesel exhaust fluid requirements will save farmers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. In addition, the administration has delivered over $40 billion in direct assistance to farmers and ranchers, including $12 billion through the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, helping stabilize operations and sustain rural communities.

Curry shared his perspective on the event and the topics discussed, as he remarked, “Being present at the White House underscores what we already know here at home, agriculture is the backbone of our rural economy. Vidalia onion production supports jobs, drives local investment, and contributes significantly to Georgia’s agricultural output each year. We are proud to see Vidalia onions represented in our nation’s capital.”

Prior to becoming the Executive Director with Vidalia Onions, Curry, a native of Mount Vernon, Georgia, spent 17 years as a County Extension Agent in Appling and Montgomery County. Since beginning his new position just two years ago, Curry has already made strides in the industry. Through federal and state support, Curry brought in an additional $570,000 for research and a new Vidalia Onion breeding program to be led by the University of Georgia.

“Vidalia Onions needed their own breeding program in Georgia. The goal is to produce varieties suitable for the Vidalia region that are resistant to disease. This is a long-term project, and we’ll need continued federal support, but I’m very appreciative of the support we have received thus far at both the state and federal levels. This will be a game changer for our industry,” he emphasized.

Curry’s attendance of the event in Washington D.C. solidifies the Vidalia Onion’s reputation as a staple crop not just in Toombs County and the surrounding area, but also within the state and nation.

THOUSANDS OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS – Thousands of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders gathered at the South Lawn of the White House recently for the Great American Agriculture Celebration.

SPEAKING WITH OTHER LEADERS AND EXPERTS – While attending the Great American Agriculture Celebration, Vidalia Onion Business Council Executive Director Shane Curry was able to meet with other agriculture leaders and experts, and speak with them about their work in the field.