LANSING - Michigan dry bean producers will have an opportunity to vote on the continuation of the Michigan Bean Commission and its activities in a referendum conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) beginning on Monday, September 9, 2024 through September 20, 2024.

Ballots will be mailed to dry bean producers September 3, 2024. Eligible producers with questions or those not receiving a ballot should contact MDARD toll-free at 800-292-3939.

The Michigan Bean Commission, appointed to improve the economic position of the state's dry bean producers, was last approved in 2019; and by law, must be resubmitted for grower approval every five years. Currently, the assessment is $.10 per hundredweight.

For the commission and its activities to be renewed, more than 50 percent of the producer votes cast, representing more than 50 percent of the total hundredweight represented on the cast ballots, must approve it.

Producers are eligible to vote if they produced dry beans for sale in any one of the last three years. For the purpose of this referendum, each producer, partnership or corporation is entitled to one vote. All ballots must be filled out completely, signed and postmarked by September 20, 2024, and should be sent to MDARD, Executive Office, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909.

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