Throughout the entire length of the discussion on the Marketing Order I have attempted to focus the discussion on the numbers. Many other growers and Ed Jesse, also tried to search for an answer by diligently studying the numbers. Many others and I believed that in the end we could use the numbers to support a Marketing Order for 2001. We believed that it was extremely important to diligently search for the proper percentage that would have the best chance of raising grower prices to break even at the farm level, provide enough fruit to meet demand and provide for growth in the business.

As we studied those numbers, it appeared as though a Marketable Quantity of 3,500,000 barrels should provide the best chance of returning growers to break even. After listening to various handlers, we reluctantly decided to raise the Marketable Quantity to 4,000,000 barrels. According to all available economic data, by increasing the quantity to 4,000,000 barrels we risked $5 - $10 per barrel at the grower level. That compromise was apparently not enough to please the handlers that crafted the current order recommendation.

I should have known that the numbers would have very little to do with the final vote because the numbers justify a much different action than the vote results. At the meeting on Sunday, everyone heard Jack Crooks say something like, "I will not discuss numbers by committee." At the Providence sub committee meeting when I attempted to discuss the numbers with Jack Crooks to find out where we differed, again Crooks said I really can’t discuss the numbers because I’m not that good at that. Steve Lacy, legal counsel and representative for Pappas and Cliffstar then stated, I don’t know why we are wasting time discussing numbers.

Obviously, in the end, the numbers meant nothing. The only thing that mattered was reaching a deal that obtained the necessary votes and served the handlers. This vote had nothing to do with growers or the primary purpose of the order. This vote was a handler only driven vote. I believe that the Secretary has an obligation under the law to in fact research the numbers. The Secretary is obligated to review the Committee’s recommendation and the justification for that recommendation. You cannot analyze the justification and ignore the numbers.

It is my intent to pursue all political and legal means necessary to demand that any Order can be justified and as a fellow grower I encourage you to do the same. When your electric bill is $40, there is no justification to pass an action that will return $20 cash at best. The results are the same as passing no order and getting $13. The electricity is shut off and the lights go out. The only growers that will benefit are those that have a $20 electric bill and the handlers that generate their profits by the numbers of barrels they can handle.

I continue to believe that in the end if the growers don’t just, "throw in the towel," we can use the system to properly resolve the problem. All the safe guards are in place, now we need to use them.