Next Big Thing, A Growers' Cooperative

Pepin Heights Orchard, Inc. had received the exclusive License to commercialize MN 1914 (Honeycrisp x Zestar!), a cultivar discovered by the University of Minnesota apple breeding program, from the University of Minnesota Patent and Technology Licensing office in December 2005. Next Big Thing, a Growers Cooperative (NBT) was formed July 31, 2006, and a License granting NBT the right to grow and market MN 1914 in North America was received from Pepin Heights upon formation of the Cooperative.

NBT is owned by 45 grower/members, and governed by a Board of Directors chosen from the members. Currently, NBT has members in 5 states in the United States, from Washington to New York, and 2 provinces in Canada, Nova Scotia and Quebec. All fruit will be packed at member owned packing houses in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and Nova Scotia, and will be sold by the selling desks at those packing houses. The Marketing Committee, made up of board appointed members, will determine pricing for the United States and Canada and each of the selling agencies must adhere to this pricing strategy. The Marketing Committee will also select the ”launch“ customers from the various regions, and develop the marketing programs to be implemented. The first commercial plantings of MN 1914 went in the ground spring 2007, and we anticipate having commercial quantities of fruit to take to the market in 2010.

NBT differs from current North American "managed variety" models in several ways: First, we have diversified production across North America. This brings significant advantages to NBT. Not only do we have some of the best growing sites (and growers!) in North America, but also we have lessened the risk of weather calamities negatively impacting production. As well, we are producing the fruit closer to the various markets in the United States. Transportation is an enormous cost both monetarily and qualitatively. Our members packing houses are strategically located to service our customers across North America. Lastly, having four member-owned selling agencies gives us greater access to key retailers across North America than a marketing organization having only a single selling desk.

NBT is truly a vertically integrated, geographically diversified organization owned by growers dedicated to the proposition of profitably bringing great fruit varieties to market.

Regional contacts include:

• Midwest Region (MN, WI, MI)
  Dennis Courtier
  Director, Next Big Thing and President, Pepin Heights, Lake City, MN
  www.pepinheights.com
• Western Region (WA)
  Roger Pepperl
  Marketing Director, Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, WA
  www.stemilt.com
• Eastern Region (NY)
  Lee Peters
  Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Fowler Farms, Wolcott, NY
  www.fowlerfarms.com
• Canadian Region (All of Canada)
  David Parrish
  Vice President Produce Sales & Operations, Scotian Gold Cooperative Limited, Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, Canada
  www.scotiangold.com