Mar 6, 2024UGA Extension agent new Vidalia onion leader
Shane Curry, a University of Georgia Extension county agent who has led work on pecans, has become executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC).
Curry was Appling County Extension agriculture agent in Baxley, Georgia, and also worked in Montgomery County. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work with various produce commodities, including pecans, onions, strawberries and blueberries. Curry began his position Jan. 2.
In Curry’s 17 years with University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension, Curry demonstrated an unwavering commitment to research and extension programs, according to a news release.
A 2000 graduate of Vidalia High School, Curry was born and raised in Mount Vernon, Georgia, in the Vidalia growing region. He earned an Associate of Science degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, a Bachelor of Agribusiness from Middle Tennessee State University, and a Master of Agriculture and Environmental Education from UGA.
Curry has received numerous awards and accolades for his work with various produce commodities, including onions, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans.
In 2018, Curry was named a Fruit Growers News 40 Under 40 honoree. Curry started and coordinated the Southeast Georgia Pecan Field Day which is attended by more than 200 growers each year. He is considered an area expert in pecan production and has received the Georgia Pecan Achievement Award. He conducts numerous blueberry and strawberry research projects annually. In addition, Curry serves on multiple planning committees for regional fruit and vegetable grower meetings.
“Mr. Curry’s extensive background in agriculture and natural resources makes him highly qualified to lead the committee into the future,” the Vidalia committee said in the release.
“His leadership and strategic vision will be instrumental in advancing the committee’s mission and promoting the Vidalia Onion brand,” according to the release. “The committee looks forward to the positive impact he will have on its operations and the Vidalia onion industry at large.”
Curry received the Distinguished Service Award from the Georgia and National Association of County Agriculture Agents.
“The Vidalia Onion committee is excited to have someone of Shane’s experience take the helm of executive director,” Cliff Riner, VOC chairman and vice president of ag production and grower relations for G&R Farms, Glennville, Georgia, said in the release.
Curry has authored or co-authored numerous scientific research publications and weekly newspaper articles, produced weekly radio programs and maintained a website blog. Additionally, Curry led the effort that secured $2.3 million in special-purpose local-option sales tax funding for building a multipurpose 42,000 square foot agriculture facility in Appling County.
