Our guest today is John Shuman. John is the President andCEO of Shuman Farms, a leading grower and shipper of sweet onions based in Reidsville, Georgia. Raised in a farming family, John left college in 1993, just two classes shy of completing his business degree at Georgia Southern University, to assist with the family farm during a challenging period. The farm was struggling due to the lingering effects of the 1980s Farm Crisis, which had caused high interest rates and significant debt for many farmers, including the Shuman family. 

In the late 1990s, John Shuman revitalized the family farm, establishing Shuman Farms, which has grown into one of the largest growers and shippers of sweet onions in North America. The company is renowned for its RealSweet® brand, introduced in 2001, which has become widely recognized in the produce industry. 

Under John's leadership, Shuman Farms has emphasized community involvement and philanthropy. In 2002, he founded the Healthy Family Project®, a cause-marketing organization dedicated to creating a healthier generation and giving back to families across the country. Since its inception, the project has raised more than $7.5 million for families and children in need. 

John's contributions to the agricultural industry have been widely recognized. In 2020, he was named Grower of the Year by the Vidalia Onion Committee, honoring his more than 25 years of service to the industry. 

Through his commitment to quality, innovation, and community, John Shuman has significantly impacted the sweet onion industry and continues to lead Shuman Farms with a focus on excellence and social responsibility. 

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• Lessons John learned from his dad, Buck, by watching how he handled adversity
• How his leadership style has evolved as the company has grown from a regional to an international enterprise
• The importance of education initiatives and the family’s sister company Healthy Family Project in being a positive part of the community
• How Shuman Farms operates as a “service-first” organization in the day-to-day
• How the Shuman family is bringing in the next generation and getting them “into the front seat” of the family business
• And more…

To learn more about John or his family business Shuman Farms, visit their website at https://www.shumanfarmsga.com/.  

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passionis to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!