Time to set the record straight
Dear Editor,
I am responding
to the article in the April issue of The Fruit Growers News about
unpaid assessments (“Kropf Fruit fined for not paying MAC”).
The $107,000 unpaid dues represents 60 percent of our own production
for the total dues for the 2000 and 2001 crop years. Ken and I produced
1.8 million bushels in that 2-year period. Every single grower assessment
dollar was paid to the Michigan Apple Committee. The assessment dollars
were proven by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) in 2002
by two separate audits.
It disturbs me to think that both the MAC and the MDA have all this
information in their files and chose to inform the industry with misleading
statements. I question the MAC and MDA’s ulterior motive in
attacking me on this issue when it was already dealt with when Mark
Arney was at the MAC.
This whole issue would not have happened if Greenstone Farm Credit
had not called our loans.
I have 30 years of supporting the MAC, hundreds of hours of volunteered
time, traveling and talking to growers in support of the MAC and helping
the Michigan apple industry – together with the MDA –
to promote the expansion of the industry export markets with Mexico.
I was asked by Dan Wyant to serve on the first Michigan Export Advisory
Committee. It leaves me wondering if, in fact, the promotional assessment
programs of the state are so concerned about their existence that
they need to show strength through the news media.
I have written documentation to all of these facts. Feel free to call
me at (800) 922-0635 with any questions.
Roger Kropf
