The Fruit Growers News

As a Michigan apple grower who has been in the business for over 40 years, I would like to express some of my views regarding the Michigan Apple Committee’s decision to table the proposed increase in the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) assessment. First off, it is a great concern for all growers where our money goes and how it is being spent. Unless you are a grower, you can’t really know what we are experiencing. Even those who profit from the grower can’t comprehend the extent of the financial and personal investment involved. I have served as a board member on the Michigan Apple Committee for the last six years and have witnessed a dedicated staff that has greatly benefited the growers with a relatively small budget. However, the February meeting was the worst experience I have had since I became involved with the committee. The attitude of the staff was biased and negative at times. Nothing will be accomplished with this kind of an attitude. As a committee member, I am well aware that the Michigan Apple Committee does not have a large budget to work with, but I also know that we need to do whatever is needed for the good of the grower. Being appointed as a trustee to the USApple six years ago, has helped me to see the problems and concerns at the national level and realize just how valuable this organization is to our industry. They are one of our voices in Washington and we would only be fooling ourselves if we underestimate the importance of this. Merlin Kraft (an apple grower in Sparta) recently told me that no one ever believed that apple growers would some day need to be involved in politics. That day is here! Michigan apple growers can no longer be ignorant to the issues that are facing us on the national level. Many changes have taken place in our industry in the last few years and the focus needs to change. We need to ensure that our dollars are spent where they will benefit the grower the most. Trade promotion is on the increase while consumer advertising is on the decline. I’m not suggesting that we discontinue advertising, but billboards and radio jingles are not going to save the farm. We need to get over our reluctance to change and decide together what needs to be done to get the most for our money. USApple spearheaded our industry’s trade case against unfairly priced apple juice concentrate from China. They also helped to secure the $100 million in market loss assistance and $38 million in crop loss assistance for apple growers and, they are trying to increase consumption by promoting the health benefits of apples. These are only a few examples of the work they do that benefits the grower directly. The growers are responsible for funding the Michigan Apple Committee and, therefore, should be the voice that determines where and how these monies are spent. I agree with Matt McCallum that we must support the increase for USApple. As growers we need to make our voices heard. Please share with your representatives on the Michigan Apple Committee your desire to support USApple’s work on our behalf. Whether the funds come from the Michigan Apple Committee or other sources matters not, but we must do our part. There will be no future for any who make a living off the apple industry if there are no growers left. The work to promote and sustain our industry needs to take place not only here at home, but also in our nation’s capital.



		Michigan Apple Growers should Unite in Support of USApple As a Michigan apple grower who has been in the business for over 40 years, I would like to express some of my views regarding the Michigan Apple Committee’s decision to table the proposed increase in the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) assessment. First off, it is a great concern for all growers where our money goes and how it is being spent. Unless you are a grower, you can’t really know what we are experiencing. Even those who profit from the grower can’t comprehend the extent of the financial and personal investment involved. I have served as a board member on the Michigan Apple Committee for the last six years and have witnessed a dedicated staff that has greatly benefited the growers with a relatively small budget. However, the February meeting was the worst experience I have had since I became involved with the committee. The attitude of the staff was biased and negative at times. Nothing will be accomplished with this kind of an attitude. As a committee member, I am well aware that the Michigan Apple Committee does not have a large budget to work with, but I also know that we need to do whatever is needed for the good of the grower. Being appointed as a trustee to the USApple six years ago, has helped me to see the problems and concerns at the national level and realize just how valuable this organization is to our industry. They are one of our voices in Washington and we would only be fooling ourselves if we underestimate the importance of this. Merlin Kraft (an apple grower in Sparta) recently told me that no one ever believed that apple growers would some day need to be involved in politics. That day is here! Michigan apple growers can no longer be ignorant to the issues that are facing us on the national level. Many changes have taken place in our industry in the last few years and the focus needs to change. We need to ensure that our dollars are spent where they will benefit the grower the most. Trade promotion is on the increase while consumer advertising is on the decline. I’m not suggesting that we discontinue advertising, but billboards and radio jingles are not going to save the farm. We need to get over our reluctance to change and decide together what needs to be done to get the most for our money. USApple spearheaded our industry’s trade case against unfairly priced apple juice concentrate from China. They also helped to secure the $100 million in market loss assistance and $38 million in crop loss assistance for apple growers and, they are trying to increase consumption by promoting the health benefits of apples. These are only a few examples of the work they do that benefits the grower directly. The growers are responsible for funding the Michigan Apple Committee and, therefore, should be the voice that determines where and how these monies are spent. I agree with Matt McCallum that we must support the increase for USApple. As growers we need to make our voices heard. Please share with your representatives on the Michigan Apple Committee your desire to support USApple’s work on our behalf. Whether the funds come from the Michigan Apple Committee or other sources matters not, but we must do our part. There will be no future for any who make a living off the apple industry if there are no growers left. The work to promote and sustain our industry needs to take place not only here at home, but also in our nation’s capital. Edwin Wittenbach Apple grower Belding, Michigan

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