Vidalia Onion Committee is Seeking New Member Nominations
Vidalia, GA; August 14, 2023—The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) is currently seekingnominations to the Committee from producers in the industry. The VOC elects eight newnominees each year as part of an annual process. There are currently four members and four alternate seats available on the Committee.The VOC administers the federal marketing order locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates and one public member and an alternate. The role of the VOC is to oversee the Vidalia onion marketing order and its role in carrying out research, marketing,and advertising on behalf of the industry. Members are limited to three consecutive two-year terms of office. The VOC encourages all interested members including minorities, women, and those with physical challenges to apply as they work toward building a diverse and representative membership. We are also especially interested in getting input from small business and organic growers so that the Committee might represent all interests in the Vidalia onion industry. Newly elected members will be seated in their new positions upon approval of U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary of Agriculture. Potential Committee members must first be nominated. Nominations will be accepted from August 14 th – September 8 th . Please contact the Vidalia Onion Committee to receive a nomination form at cablaxton@vidaliaonion.org or via phone at (912) 537-1918. Nomination forms can be submitted via fax at 912-537-2166 or by mail at P.O. Box 1609, Vidalia, GA 30475. After the close of nominations voting will take place on September 21 st from 8 a.m.5 p.m. at the VOC office. No absentee votes will be accepted: walk-in voting only. All voters must be in good standing with the Committee – defined as having timely regular reports and assessments that are current. Election officials will tally ballots, and all election materials are the property of the USDA. Chelsea Page, Interim Executive Director of the VOC remarked, “The Committee members serve in a role that is critical in the success and management of the Vidalia Onion Committee. Members provide a voice to on issues and concerns so we can build programs that meet the direct needs of our growers and see that their funds are well managed.”
About the Vidalia Onion Committee
Because Vidalia onions are sweetly unique, farmers united to seek legal protection for their crop and its name. Federal Marketing Order No. 955 was established in 1989, to stipulate where the crop can be grown and help with research and promotion of Vidalia onions. The Vidalia Onion Committee administers FMO No. 955 and authorizes production research, marketing research and development and marketing promotion programs. This federal program along with Georgia state laws that protect the Vidalia trademark have provided a legal framework for the industry. So, you can try to grow a sweet onion elsewhere, but you cannot call it a “Vidalia,” unless it is from Georgia! For more information, visit VidaliaOnion.org.
