- Publisher’s Note
- I knew the column I wrote last month would be controversial, but I had no idea it would elicit such a high response.
We might get one or two responses a month from columns appearing on our Marketplace of Ideas page. My March column generated 10 letters to the editor, more than 15 phone calls and over 35 e-mails. Not everyone wanted their comments made public, but I can assure you that I listened to both sides.
The sentiment was overwhelming positive, with all but two saying the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) should not increase its funding to USApple – one of those being the MAC leaders.
The MAC letter points out that Virginia didn’t support the dues increase, but just as we were going to press it was announced that they are making structural changes to its program. It is doing away with its executive director’s position to help free up funds to help increase its contribution to U.S. Apple Association (USApple).
There is also contention of what USApple’s reserve fund is. MAC contends it is $943,145.00 as of Jan. 31, 2001, while USApple staff says the real number should be $429,292.
And the “point of law” that the Michigan Apple Committee cited as the reason it could not take action is being looked at carefully by the Michigan Department of Agriculture leaders. Stay tuned.
I would also like to apologize and then recognize all of the other organizations including Farm Bureau, universities, state departments of agriculture, shippers, United, the U.S. Minor Crop Alliance and individual fruit growers who work together as a team to help the apple industry.
I didn’t mean to imply that USApple is the only organization that should take credit for all of the positive things that have been done for the apple industry. It is a team effort, but in the end USApple (as the name implies) is the lead organization that funnels the apple industry’s best interests to the right place.
All of the response to my column just proves to me even further that it’s time for major changes in the way apple promotion programs are run. We must re-invent the apple industry and do it quickly. Forget how it was done in the past and focus on how it needs to be done in the future.
- Matt McCallum, Publisher
- Matt McCallum, Publisher
Copyright 2001 Great American Publishing
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