Why Aries Haygood’s Approach To Agriculture and Life Makes Him a True Winner

Grower Achievement Award season is one of the best parts of our year. We at American Vegetable Grower read every nomination that comes in, and the stories we see there — well, “inspiring” feels too small a word.

Our judging criteria are straightforward: community and industry involvement, a willingness to explore and test new ideas, supporting fellow growers, striving for excellence, and keeping consumers in mind.

But there’s also an unofficial quality we look for: someone who will get other growers across the country thinking about how those ideas could work for them.

That’s at the core of our mission, too. At American Vegetable Grower, our job is to spark conversations that lead to stronger, more successful farms. Our biggest strength is sharing the wisdom of this industry’s experts and most impressive growers.

Enter Aries Haygood of A&M Farms

The national winner of the 2025 Grower Achievement Award is a perfect example. Aries Haygood is a younger grower who didn’t grow up on a farm. Even though he lived in Vidalia, GA, he didn’t fully understand the region’s claim to fame until he was an adult.

Now he is searching for solutions to low onion prices in every way he can, including producing crops that deliver more nutrition and better flavor.

What makes him stand out is not just the vision. It’s how he tests his ideas, measures the results, and adjusts his program based on facts. He asks, “Will this work on my farm, and can it work for others, too?” That discipline has shaped his approach to crop nutrition, to adopting smart tech, and even to how he shares insights with neighbors and new growers.

Just as important, he brings that same mindset to leadership. After a hurricane struck his community, he organized crews and equipment to help landowners recover at fair rates. When younger growers call for advice, he’s honest about the risks as well as the opportunities.

This is what the Grower Achievement Award is all about: innovation, service, and the determination to leave the industry stronger.

As you read his story, I encourage you to ask: Which of his ideas could also move your farm forward?

Oh, One More Thing

Some people are quote factories, and Aries Haygood is one of them. We couldn’t fit them all in, so here are a few more worth sharing:

“That bout with colon cancer in 2017 sent me on this journey. Are there other ways to farm that are healthier for people and still keep us in business?”

“People see the onion in the ground and think the hard part is done. The hard part is selling it, moving it, and getting paid.”

“I watch what other countries and California are doing, then figure out what actually works here in Vidalia.”

“Labor is 52% of my total costs. Any technology I try has to be practical for farms my size or smaller.”