May 2021 - 6

ASPARAGUS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Asparagus Research Inc. and manager
of the Michigan Asparagus Industry
Research Farm - he's planning to drop all
but the latter role while adding some work
at the Earl & Linda Peterson West Central
Michigan Research & Extension Center.
" I think most of you know this,
but if you don't, I'm retiring, sort
of, " he said. " I will continue to work
at the asparagus research farm for
a few years, and as of last night, am
officially a part-time employee of
MSU Extension - I have accepted a
position at the new tree fruit research
facility which is located right next to
the asparagus research facility. So,
I'm going to be managing both those
facilities for a few years. It's not that
I'm going away. I'm just going to slow
down, hopefully, have a chance to catch
a few more fish, spend some more time
up at my cabin. "
Assessment rate reduction
Bakker reported that the MAAB had
decided to reduce its assessment rate
from 1.75 cents per pound of asparagus
to 1.5 cents.
" We are actually getting into a
situation where fund balance is higher
than what we feel we need, " Bakker
said. " There's a lot of discussion
on what we want to do with the
John Bakker talks to growers at the Oceana Research Tour stop in 2016 at the Michigan Asparagus Industry Research Farm in Hart, Michigan.
Photo: Gary Pullano
assessment rate this year, but due to
some potential things on the horizon,
the board decided to reduce the rate to
one and a half-cent this year. "
The assessment rate had been at
1.75 cents since 2012. Next year, the
rate could return to the previous rate
or possibly even increase, he said.
Marketing moves
Jen Velasquez, director of marketing
at Full Tilt Marketing, spoke about
Michigan Asparagus' marketing
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campaign. A digital campaign is
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Some, displaced from their offices and
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" For 2021, we're not going to
completely forget everything we've
talked about in the past, " she said. " We're
still going to talk about having thicker
spears and better texture and better
flavor. Michigan asparagus is easy to
prepare. You don't have to overcook
your veggies to make them taste good.
You do still want to buy fresh and local.
And sustainable is still here. All those
messages are going to be reinforced as
we focus on reaching more people and
wider audiences. " VGN
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May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2021