On Sat, 11 Nov 2000 11:00:47 -0600 Bob Stevens <[log in to unmask]> writes: > What happens next? Three steps need to be taken: > Step 1: The current leadership of the American Bee Federation > should resign immediately. The new leadership should immediately > negotiate with the American Honey Producers to join into one national > beekeepers's organization. Could this revelation be extended to the pending results of our Presidential election?...Let the party that fails to "win" the White House forfeit their seats in congress, withdraw support from their leadership and yield to a single party government. NO, it won't and shouldn't happen in either case. > The national leadership has an opportunity to bring about badly > needed change in our industry. But, the old animosities and the injured egos will have to be set aside > for the good of the industry. There will continue to be different opinions from within the industry. The pie is small and there are many slices...beekeeper (hobbyist-sideliner-commercial), queen breeder & package bee shipper, honey producer, packer, retailer, researcher, equipment manufacturer and supplier. It would be to the benefit of the entire industry to present a united position to the general public and government agencies. As a small producer newer to our industry than "the old animosities and the injured egos" I would celebrate a closer relationship but not a marriage between the major industry organizations. > Step 2: This new National organization should support wholeheartedly > the anti-dumping lawsuits against Argentina and China initiated by the > Sioux Honey Association and the American Honey Producers. This expression of self preservation will be expensive. When the first round with China succeeded, Argentina moved into the fill the void created by that success. Unless this anti-dumping campaign is expanded to include all honey producing countries and those potential producers the long term effect can be projected against our initial experience with China. These funds may be better spent promoting specifically U.S. Honey...that market opportunity perceived missed by the National Honey Board. > Step 3: Planning should begin as soon as possible for a new Honey > Promotion Board promoting American honey Beekeeping industry members who fail to evolve with their market lose share and experience a decline in their narrow profit margin. The successful operation gleans the beneficial factors from those that cause a drain on the bottom line but few if any will completely trash their current business to establish themselves in a different aspect of the same industry. It should not be necessary to scrap our National Honey Board to affect changes that could provide U.S. beekeepers with an increase in our domestic markets. The results of the referendum are too quickly identified as non-support for the National Honey Board. There were possibly too many proposed changes clumped together to supply an accurate indicator for the broad picture...An increase in the per pound assessment, pre-production research, re-allotment of Board seats and quality assurance topped the list. With wholesale prices down an increase in the assessment would have jumped this line item by a large percentage drawing on the narrow profit margin of some producers. The expansion into beekeeping in addition to retail marketing may be a leap not just a step. Adding seats for non-producers on the board could weaken the honey producer's position. And the fear of Big Brother in the honey house doesn't appeal to anyone. Evaluate your position relative to the National Honey Board based on the goals of your individual operation. Don't rely on information or evaluations presented by your competition. Rarely will you receive positive support from your market competitor. A success in your operation could mean a change in their bottom line. If you market honey in any quantity ask the National Honey Board how they can help improve your sales and market share. Rick Leber Beekeeping & Honey Production Since 1987 Mobile, 'Sweet Home Alabama' [log in to unmask]