UGA Cooperative Extension
Tattnall County Extension Office:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Vidalia Onion Vegetable Research Center
The Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC) was established through a cooperative effort between the Georgia Forestry Commission, the Department of Corrections, and the Vidalia Onion Committee.
Approximately 28 acres of the Georgia Forestry Commission's Page Nursery was leased for 15 years to the University of Georgia, along with existing buildings, for research on onions and other vegetables in 1999. In 2007, the Georgia Forestry Commission transferred the entire Page Nursery property (142 acres) to the University.
This facility is the only one of its kind in east Georgia focusing on commercial vegetable production issues, and is the primary site for all Vidalia onion research. All of the research for organically grown onions is conducted at the VOVRC, and has been ongoing since 2002. Vidalia onions account for the largest organically grown commodity acreage in Georgia with over 200 acres. Organic onion production has increased 400% in Georgia over the last year and is expected to continue to trend upward.
The official Vidalia Onion Variety Trial, a screening of varieties to determine which cultivars should be recommended to the Commissioner of Agriculture for approval as a “Vidalia” is conducted annually at the VOVRC. The annual Vidalia Onion Field Day draws over 100 guests from around the world each year to view over 11 acres in onion research plots.
Some 20+ other crops have been involved in research projects at the facility including artichoke, squash, cantaloupe, watermelons, tomatoes, pepper, pumpkin, cabbage, greens, and many others.
Source(s): Reid Torrance
Based on: Expansion and Improvements at the Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (2007)
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Vidalia Onions Q&A
by Reid Torrance
UGA extension agent in Vidalia onion region
QUESTION: Why can't I grow Vidalia onions in north Georgia?
ANSWER: This geographic area of Georgia is unique in its soil type, rainfall patterns, and other climatic conditions which allows for the production of onions that are far milder than those grown in other parts of Georgia. In fact, research tests have shown that onions in the Vidalia region are less pungent than onions produced around the globe. Pungency in onions is tied to the presence or absence of sulfur in the soil during various stages of production.
(NOTE: In 1986, Georgia passed legislation giving Vidalia onions legal status and defining the 20-county production area in southeast Georgia. The Vidalia onion was named Georgia's official state vegetable in 1990.)
QUESTION: I'm a "Vidalia onion-holic." For years I've tried to learn the best time of the season to buy them. When are they at their peak, neither rushed to the market before their time nor at the end, when they may have been around too long?
ANSWER: Prime season for Vidalias is the last week of April through May. The first of May is when the best varieties are at peak maturity. You can pretty much guarantee that by the first of May everyone is at full steam and shipping -- it's prime time.
Vidalia Onions Research & Publications
- Effect of transplant size on yield and quality of Vidalia onions
G. E. Boyhan, Reid Torrance, Chris Hopkins, Randy Hill, Thad Paulk - Experiments on organic production of Vidalia Onions
G. E. Boyhan, Reid Torrance, Chris Hopkins, Randy Hill, Thad Paulk - Organic Vidalia Onion production: the basics of what works, what you can do and what you can’t
G.E. Boyhan, Ray Hicks, Reid Torrance, Chris Hopkins, Cliff Riner, Randy Hill, Thad Paulk - Vidalia Onions The New Georgia Encyclopedia, Land & Resources section.
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