Once upon a time – actually in the mid-1980s – in a faraway land known as Reidsville, GA a gentleman by the name of Benny DeTroy “Buck” Shuman began growing Vidalia onions. Mr. Buck was a trailblazer in the onion community and earned the respect of many onion growers. But like many farmers, the idea of who would take over the farm weighed on his mind.

Good news was Mr. Buck really had nothing to worry about as his son John was in college and ready to do just that. He came back to the family farm in the early 1990s, improved and reformed as Shuman Farms — growers of RealSweet and Mr. Buck’s Vidalia and Peruvian Sweet onions — and expanded it to today’s industry-leading, year-round grower and shipper of premium sweet onions. Under John’s watch, the family business has become a full-fledged agribusiness, not just a farm. 

But what about John’s legacy?  Well, it potentially began in 1997 when John married Lana Harris. I know, I am not answering the legacy question. Patience my friends, my suggestion is to read on to see if this fairytale has a happy ending.

Where The Food Comes From visited President & CEO of Shuman Farms John Shuman in Cobbtown and Reidsville, GA during Vidalia season this spring. Our host Chip Carter spoke with the entire family for the episode, but I am going to start my part with John and Lana.

For starters Lana is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and poised women I have met. And ladies, she also has great hair. Lana hails from Metro Atlanta and after marrying John moved to rural south GA. Can you imagine? I know I can’t. It wasn’t exactly the path Lana saw for herself but love is love and she says it’s a life she “would not change.”

In 2000, John and Lana welcomed into their home and hearts their first-born son John Luke. John told Chip the birth of their son “was a blessing from the Lord. It’s the greatest gift the Lord can give you.” Lana agreed but added she knew it was going to be a “big learning curve to raise a boy.” Sorry folks, I forgot to tell you Lana only has sisters. I imagine she felt a bit intimidated.

But the potential legacy did not stop with Luke and in 2002 the Shumans had a second son, Jake. Two sons to carry on the family name and hopefully the farm? Apologizes in advance – I have to digress just a little. During our travels we have met so many farmers where this is not the case. Their kids go off to college and opt out of returning to the farm. Never mind all the farmland that is being sold because there’s no one to take over. It just breaks my heart. Okay, now that I got that out of my system we can return to the interview.

John was very open about the challenges of growing the farm and taking care of his young family. In the early days he even worked a second job, went to real estate school in case none of it worked out, and spent a lot of time traveling leaving Lana home with the boys. John, with the warmest and softest look in his eyes says, “She has been a rock. A beautiful mother to the boys and a beautiful wife to me.” Full disclosure: At this point my eyes were beginning to tear. To boot, while John was traveling and Lana was home raising the boys she also taught kindergarten. Side note: She just retired after a 30-year teaching career. Congratulations Lana!

John and Lana talked about some of their favorite memories with Luke and Jake. Lana pushing the boys in a double stroller at farm industry tradeshows, sporting events, and simply watching them grow up.

But what about the legacy? John and Lana made it very clear they did not want to push the boys into the business but kept the faith they would return. John and Lana hit the jackpot. Not one but both of their boys are coming home to the family business. To clarify, Luke graduated from the University of Georgia and is already working in the capacity of Asst. Production Manager for Shuman Farms. Jake is going into his junior year at Georgia Southern and plans to join the business after graduation.

The Packinghouse

Some of you know packinghouses are one of my favorite things. Though sometimes I do get in trouble and get a bit too close to the action or maybe wander somewhere I shouldn’t have… but if I didn’t how would you be able to read about it?

Our day actually began at the packing house. We watched as John, Luke and Jake walked around. I believe they were discussing the new equipment. Not being able to hear I was off and running to take my pictures. And hopefully staying out of trouble or not getting ran over by a forklift (it really is an occupational hazard!).

The Shuman men move quick and this picture is one of my favorites. You see Luke and Jake both walk like their father. I have fondly named it the “Shuman Walk”. It took about five attempts to get the picture and I think I sort of captured it. I probably should have taken a video, but that may have been pushing it a bit too far.

While the three of them were walking around I also did my fair share. I came upon a little door in the packing house and — yeah, like in a fairytale — I had to check it out. What did I find? A Vidalia onion peel snowstorm! But what I am most proud of is when I showed Chip my small video clip he said, “How have I not seen that!” It doesn’t happen often so I did give myself a small pat on the back. And I guess he just never went through the little secret door!

Let’s Meet Luke Shuman

It looked like the rain would come any minute so off we went to the back porch of the Shuman’s pond house, which I might add is incredible. Sorry folks no pictures – privacy has to be respected when it comes to family.

Chip and Luke discussed his father’s dream and what it means to him to come into the family business. He went on to say that he is grateful he has the opportunity to “learn more about what my family has been working on for generations.”

A Conversation Between And Father And Son

Sometimes it is hard to get the right angle when taking pictures and this was one of them. The cameras were close to Luke and John and I had to squat to take it. I like this picture because it shows the love and admiration John has for his son. Look at the smile on his face. As far as what they said you will hear it in the interview in the episode, which of course you can watch anytime on YouTube @WhereTheFoodComesFrom.

Brotherly Love

Chip has known the Shumans for many years and the boys hold a very special place in his heart. As a matter of fact, for years when Chip would visit the Shumans, he would make a special trip to a local warehouse store and bring Luke and Jake an assortment of their favorite candy — boxes and boxes of it (but he always got permission first).

Personally, I did not have the opportunity to know them as boys. But as men they are two of the most special people you would want to meet. You can tell how much respect they have for one another. But like most siblings they are different. I know it’s wrong but when we meet various people on our shoots a favorite interviewee of mine always emerges. Well, that was not the case here. I have thought a lot about our day and evening with them to figure this out and I still have no clue.

I think Jake the sibling relationship best. “We have been best friends for a while. Friendship keeps me and Luke together.” And it shows.

Chip asked the boys about their earliest memories of Shuman Farms. For Jake it was going to the office with dad and for Luke it was tagging along at trade shows. Like I said, very different people. But they both always loved tagging along with Dad in the fields.

Chow Time

Unfortunately, I did not get to hear the final interview with Chip and John — for one thing, it was a very emotional scene and our producer (which is to say Chip) ran everybody out of the room except the two of them and a cameraman. Anyway, I was too busy taking pictures of the rest of the Shuman gang cooking the evening meal. It was a blast watching the action and I fondly call it “Cooking With The Shumans”. Are you curious to know what a Vidalia onion farming family has for dinner? This was an amazing dish called Pappardelle with Sausage and Caramelized Onion Pasta, which you can find in the Where The Food Comes From Cookbook. The recipe is a favorite of Luke and his beautiful fiancé Addie Lee (yup, wedding bells are in the air!) but Jake was just as involved in the prep.

Throughout the day and well into the evening there was so much wonderful conversation that it is impossible for me to tell you all about it. I am so glad you will hear much of it in the episode — but much will remain private, just good conversation among family and longtime friends. But just like I usually have a favorite interviewee, there’s also typically one question that takes centerstage for me. And this time, the question had to do with John Shuman’s approach to life. Per John it is as simple as this: “Have the proper attitude, humility, passion to learn, and a commitment to doing it right.” Man, everyone should take note of that. Can you guess the ending? It’s pretty simple too, unfortunately uncommon:

And They Lived Happily Ever After