Statement from Mason Visman

After graduating from college and moving back home to the Apple Hill area where I was born and raised,
I realized there was a huge opportunity to inform potential visitors of the natural beauty of the area and
what was offered year-round – not just during the Fall harvest season. Facebook was just starting to gain
attention, so I went around and talked to various growers about the need to start social media pages,
mobile apps, etc. Nearly all of the growers I talked to laughed at me, yet a few were progressive, so I
said to myself well there are a few agencies that promote the Apple Hill area, why not start my own?

After discussing my dreams with a trademark attorney and being informed no one person or agency can
have sole rights to promote a geographic location such as Apple Hill, I embarked on my journey! As the
years progressed, I was met with hostility and anger from the Apple Hill Growers Association who
wrongly think they have sole ownership of the words "Apple Hill," especially Association members who
had mocked me.

When I started this venture, many growers and businesses signed-on because they realized that
marketing and promotion was a good thing for everyone. Throughout the years, however, the Apple Hill
Growers Association have bullied me and anybody I do business with by threatening a lawsuit (or
expulsion) against anybody that does business with me. Because of this, many family farms I worked
with were intimidated not to do business with my company. I explained to them that I did indeed have a
trademark for "Apple Hill" under international class 35 marketing and directory services of goods and
services originating in the Apple Hill area of California, but they bowed to the pressure. I intend to raise
that bullying in the lawsuit.

Years later the Growers tried to register for the same trademark class, although I had started a
Facebook, Instagram and Mobile App years before they did and already had registered the "Apple Hill"
mark! I truly believe my business has positively added to the prosperous past few years, whether a
location in the Apple Hill area has worked with my business or not, for in my opinion, I have seen much
growth among all businesses in the Apple Hill area since starting my business. I also believe the more
people that promote Apple Hill area, the better for all. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Since Boa Vista Orchards is the only farm open year-round in the area, it was a no brainier to establish
my Apple Hill office there. In relation to who I am affiliated with, the Visman family owns and operates
many farms in the Apple Hill area: Boa Vista Orchards, High Hill Ranch, Hillside Tree Farm, El Dorado
Orchards, and High Sierra Iris & Wedding Gardens. I am an independent contractor and consider myself
an entrepreneur not solely affiliated with any one location. It is truly sad the Growers association has
forced businesses to pick a side.

I was bullied as a youth, so I am extremely saddened they have resorted to bullying tactics to put me out
of business, for it would be great if any agency were able to promote numerous locations in the Apple
Hill area without the threat of being harassed by the Apple Hill Growers Association. The artwork/logo I
chose to use for my Apple Hill business has been used in the Apple Hill area for decades, you can find
similar artwork/logos at the entrance to and throughout High Hill Ranch, throughout Boa Vista Orchards,
and on Larsen's Apple Barn, all three of the oldest businesses in the area with Larsen's being the oldest
starting in the late 1800's, Boa Vista being the second oldest starting in the early 1900's, and High Hill
Ranch starting in the 1960's.