The Michigan Onion Committee has contracted with Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI) to manage its checkoff program and research of onions. Perry DeKryger, an employee of CMI, became executive director for the Michigan Onion Committee on July 1. He will also continue to manage the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board and the Michigan Plum Advisory Board.
The committee decided to seek bids to change management in an effort to save on administrative costs so more funds from onion growers could be used for promotion and research, according to DeKryger. For several years the onion program was run by MACMA of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
The checkoff program is based on onion sales from approximately 40 growers in Michigan. These funds are forwarded to the Michigan Onion Committee for promotion of Michigan onions and research efforts on production type issues, said DeKryger.
“We’re not looking to do any big program changes. We want to get to know the industry here as soon as possible,” DeKryger said. He said a lot of the onion activities will be handled by Betty Elder from his office.
Contact Perry DeKryger at (517) 669-4250 or via e-mail at maab@netimation.com.
