G&R Farms says its 2025 Growing America’s Farmers program will feature in-store Vidalia onion promotions to support the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The Glennville, Ga.-based, third-generation family farm specializing in sweet onions says the GAF program raises funds for grants and scholarships benefiting students pursuing careers in production agriculture. This year’s program includes a new look for all in-store materials, including redesigned full-size and secondary display bins, bags and POS, offering a high-visibility platform to share the program’s mission with shoppers while elevating product presence, the company says.
For participating retailers, G&R Farms dedicates a portion of proceeds from specially marked produce items to be donated to the National FFA Foundation that are then disbursed to the states where the product is sold, directly impact young agriculturalists who represent the future of the U.S. food supply, according to a news release.
Melissa’s Produce is a returning partner, and nine regional and national retail chains have also confirmed commitment to the program, says G&R Farms.
“This campaign is about more than sweet onions — it’s about investing in the lives and futures of the students who will carry agriculture forward,” Blake Dasher, CEO of G&R Farms, said in the release. “By working with our retail partners, we’re showing these young farmers that their goals are important and their future matters.”
Now entering its 10th year, the GAF program was developed by G&R Farms to invest in the future of farming by supporting FFA students and helping them achieve their educational goals. The program has raised nearly $450,000 to date for the National FFA and state FFA foundations across more than a dozen states, according to the release.
“We started Growing America’s Farmers with a simple belief — that by investing in today’s students, we’re planting the seeds for a stronger, more resilient agricultural future,” Dasher said. “These young leaders will tackle tomorrow’s challenges, and it’s our responsibility to help pave the way.”
G&R Farms says that with farms and experts in Peru during the Vidalia onion offseason, Growing America’s Farmers promotions can run anytime, year-round. As it celebrates its 80th year, G&R Farms says it aims to beat last year’s donation total to the GAF program.
More program information is available at growingamericasfarmers.com.
