Michigan potato growers approve continuation referendum
May 10, 2012
Michigan's potato growers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Potato Industry Commission under a referendum conducted in April, according to Keith Creagh, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The Commission will continue for an additional five years beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2017. The current assessment rate is 3-1/2 cents per hundredweight for the grower and 1-1/2 cents per hundredweight for the first handler.
A total of 23 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. All 23 growers, representing 7,238,882.17 hundredweight, voted to continue the Michigan Potato Industry Commission. A majority of the growers voting who represent a majority of the hundredweight sold in the previous year must approve continuation of the program.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission was designed to promote the potato industry through research, promotion, advertising, and market development and expansion. By law, the program must be renewed every five years.
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