A&M Farms, Co-Owner Aries Haygood (left), with A&M’s Chief Technical Officer, Peter Askew (right.) All photos and images courtesy of A&M Farms
A&M Farms, formerly known as M&T Farms and based in Lyons, Georgia, has embarked on a journey to bring the world closer to the heart of their Vidalia onion farm. This 30+ year-old family-owned and operated farm, with deep connections in the global Ag community, is breaking new ground with an engaging video series capturing the intricacies of their 2024 Vidalia onion growing season.
Peter Askew, the CTOO (chief technical onion officer) of A&M Farms, plays a pivotal role in the farm’s online operations and serves as the company’s point of contact for online purchasing. Notably, Peter is also the driving force behind the creation and promotion of A&M’s unique online presence through their prized websites: www.vidaliaonions.com and www.onions.com. The farm has risen to prominence as a leader in farm-to-door Vidalia onion delivery.
A&M Farms has not only achieved the remarkable feat of boxing and shipping over 80,000 pounds of Vidalia onions to customers across the lower 48 United States but has also delved into the realm of captivating video content. The first two episodes of their video series are now available on the farm’s YouTube channel, providing an insightful look into the Vidalia onion growing season for 2024.
Company co-owners, Aries and Megan Haygood, along with Peter are no strangers to the world of video promotion. Their widely appreciated tour of the packing shed offers viewers a sneak peek into the farm’s operations.
When asked about the inspiration behind the video series, Peter Askew shared, “We often speak to our customer base, and they’re always curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ operational aspects of our business. So, Aries and I decided to take a stab at recording an entire grow cycle, as an educational resource. We’re also hoping to attract new customers via YouTube, as their audience is quite sizable.”
A&M Farms prides itself on delivering premium Vidalia onions each season, shipping to all 48 contiguous states via UPS Ground, and offering onions in various pack sizes, including 5lb, 10lb, 25lb, and 40lb packs. The farm’s commitment to producing superior Vidalia onions has been a cornerstone of their business since its inception and continues to be their guiding principle.
The farm is a respected member of the Vidalia Onion Committee, and A&M’s owners, Aries and Megan Haygood, actively participate in the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association and the National Onion Association. Beyond their leadership in internet and mail-order delivery, A&M Farms also accommodates large bulk orders from customers nationwide.
Peter Askew, a seasoned video content creator, offered some friendly advice to fellow growers interested in capturing their operations for promotional purposes. “Lean on iMovie (free via Apple) to initially edit your videos. Editing is quite challenging and time-consuming. Entirely worth it, just understand it can be a tedious aspect.”
With the launch of their captivating video series, A&M Farms is not only offering a glimpse into the inner workings of a Vidalia onion farm but is also setting a new standard for educational content in the agricultural world. Their dedication to innovation and customer engagement is evident in every frame, making them pioneers in the farm-to-door experience.
OnionBusiness invites readers to enjoy the first two episodes of A&M’s newest video project for the 2024 growing season below.
