Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705612
38 AUGUST 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com P ear Bureau Northwest is out of the organic pear promotions business, after nearly all of the region's organic pear packing companies opted out of their promotion assessments. Meanwhile, a proposal for a national check- off program has organic producers across the entire country considering unifying under a wide umbrella of products. Under a provision of the 2014 Farm Bill that took effect this year, organic growers were allowed to opt out of promotion assessments that previously had been required. The so-called "opt-out" or "exemption" clause applies to all 30 marketing orders but affects pears most among Northwest fresh fruits. In June, packers repre- senting 93 percent of the Northwest's organic pear production chose to cease paying organic promotion assessments to Pear Bureau Northwest, which generically promotes Northwest pears under a federal marketing order through advertisements, in-store samples and other marketing activities. That would leave the Pear Bureau with less than $3,000 for organic promotions next year. As a result, the bureau's board of directors has decided to scrap organic promotions activities in the coming season and ask the remaining six packing companies to leave, too. Those that didn't get their paperwork in on time will receive a refund at the end of the season, said Kevin Moffi tt, president of Pear Bureau Northwest, in an email to Good Fruit Grower. "This is all uncharted territory," he said. The Northwest produces roughly 1 million 44-pound box equivalents of organic pears, about 6 percent of the Northwest's total volume. Shippers pay an assessment of 38.5 cents per box for both. The exemptions will not affect assessments and promotions of conventionally grown pears. The opt- outs also do not apply to a 3.1-cent per box research assessment and 3.3-cent administrative assessment. All producers, organic or conventional, will continue to pay those. Organic vs. conventional Early in the process, several large organic shippers had considered remaining in the marketing order under the banner of teamwork. But over time, the "opt out" issue began to unveil a growing wedge between producers of organic and conventional agricultural products. Discussion grew heated at times during the pear industry's annual meetings in Portland, Oregon, in June. "We disagree with the concept that pears are pears," Ken Hembry, gen- eral manager of Peshastin Hi-Up, said in the meetings. "We feel there's more in common between organic pears and organic apples than between organic pears and conventional pears." The Wenatchee Valley company was one of the fi rst two companies to opt out. Stemilt was the other. The two shippers account for roughly 26 percent of all organic pear volume in the Northwest. The Chelan Fruit Growers Cooperative was among the remaining 7 percent that originally chose to pay the assessment. Consumers don't shop for pears by brand, said Mac Riggans, director of marketing for Chelan Fresh, the sales arm for Chelan Fruit Growers. "The rugged individualism of this industry is what makes it so great, but the cohe- siveness that you get by cooperation is what gives you the united face to the consumer," Riggans said. Organic Pearxit Northwest organic pear growers opt out of assessments. by Ross Courtney An organic pear orchard near Mesa, Washington. "This is all uncharted territory." —Kevin Mof�itt Frostbuster and FrostGuard The Ultimate Form of Frost Protection and Pollination! Frost protection for your fruit crop will protect against night frost regardless of wind speed or inversion layer. Positive test results to as low as 25°F. Ideal frost protection for 2.5 acres to 20 acres. Affordable & Portable. The FrostGuard: the most flexible The Frostbuster: the most economical Our Frostbuster and FrostGuard not only protect your crop against night frost, they also improve the fruit set and pollination. is is an important advantage that we can o er you through our proprietary products. No one else can. Contact us for more details. Agrofrost USA LLC Williamson, NY 14589 (315) 945-7202 or (315) 576-5067 www.AgrofrostUSA.com Paige Equipment Sales & Service Inc Rt 104 E., Williamson, NY 14449 (315) 589-6651 www.paigeequipment.com Oesco, Inc. P.O. Box 540, Conway, MA 01341 (800) 634-5557 Southwest Ag Specialties Leveland, TX (806) 229-2100 Hermans Mobile Service 2875 Maple Valley Rd., Suttons Bay, MI (231) 256-0065 Agrofrost Canada Tillsonburg, Ontario (519) 777-0446