Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/12477
UNITED STAND by Larry Alsum, President/President and CEO, Alsum Farms and Produce Hitting the “300-lb Mark” Seeking balance in life and potatoes MOST OF THE STRUGGLES WE FACE IN life carry over from work to our personal challenges. As I think about the upcoming transition from the 2009 to the 2010 crop, I keep coming back to my personal struggles with weight. I have always enjoyed eating and often find myself wanting to eat too much. During one point in my life, I let my weight creep up to 300 pounds. I knew it was not healthy, and I knew I had to make changes. So what are the similarities between my struggles with weight and the potato crop transition that we face every year? I think the industry hit its “300-lb mark” about a dozen years ago. The birth of United Potato Growers of America five years ago was one of the resulting changes needed for creating market balance. Let’s first look at the problem of achieving balance. Managing weight is relatively simple, yet very hard to do. Calories taken in must equal calories burned up or you will gain weight. If you are out of balance, you have two “The industry is faced with the same challenge every year: potatoes produced must equal potatoes con- sumed or the market is out of balance.” choices: adjust the calories you are consuming or adjust the calories you are burning. Likewise, the industry is faced with the same challenge every year: potatoes produced must equal potatoes consumed or the market is out of balance. When I hit the 300-lb mark at age 39, I made up my mind that I was going to change. I will admit it was a challenge, and it still is a daily struggle for me, but it had to be done if I wanted to live a healthy life. The primary factors that helped me achieve my 100-pound weight loss and maintain it are the same principles needed to achieve potato market balance. I believe if we apply the following concepts to our industry, the crop transition for 2010 will be successful: 1) BE PURPOSE DRIVEN. We need to know why we exist and what our goals are. We need good information in order to make good decisions. 2) HAVE A PLAN AND A STRATEGY. Know your customers. Know what they need and want. Know how to add value to your relationships. 3) BRING BALANCE INTO YOUR PLAN. Cutting supply only is not the solution. We also need to increase demand. We need to create new products, new uses and new ideas. 4) COMMUNICATE with your customers, your suppliers, and, under the umbrella of United, with each other. 5) PLAN AHEAD, BUT ALWAYS REMAIN FLEXIBLE. As growers, we need to know our market windows and opportunities. If things change, we need to know what our options are. Be willing to change. Be willing to try new ideas. 6) NEVER GIVE UP. Our own mindset can do more to harm us than any other factor. We can move markets and create opportunities if we keep a positive outlook. Best wishes to all growers and to achieving balance in life and potato markets. PG 36 Potato Grower | JULY 2010