USDA Sets Referendum Dates for Amendments to the Tart Cherries Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will conduct a referendum Aug. 26-Sept. 16, 2024, on proposed amendments to the federal marketing order for tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. The amendments were recommended by the Cherry Industry Administrative Board which locally administers the marketing order under USDA oversight. A notice of referendum was published in the Federal Register July 19, 2024.<_o3a_p>

The proposed amendments would:

• Modify the basis for calculating district representation on the board.<_o3a_p>
• Change the starting date for the term of office for board members.<_o3a_p>
• Simplify the way a board member's sales constituency is determined.<_o3a_p>
• Clarify how the sales constituency applies to alternate board members.<_o3a_p>
• Change the timeframe for submitting nominations.<_o3a_p>
• Clarify when districts are subject to volume regulation.<_o3a_p>

The board anticipates the changes would create efficiencies in its operations. <_o3a_p>

The proposed amendments would become effective if approved by two-thirds of growers voting, or by those voting in the referendum representing at least two-thirds of the volume of tart cherries. Additionally, processors who have processed over 50 percent of the total volume of tart cherries during a representative period must also approve the amendments.<_o3a_p>

To be eligible to vote, a grower or processor in the states covered by the marketing order must have produced or processed tart cherries July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024. <_o3a_p>

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers and processors of record in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.<_o3a_p>

Eligible growers and processors who have not received a ballot by Aug. 19, 2024, may request one by calling (863) 324-3375, faxing (863) 291-8614, or mailing the request to Southeast Region Branch Office, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1124 1st Street South, Winter Haven, FL 33880.<_o3a_p>

More information about the marketing order is available on the 930 Tart Cherries webpage on AMS's website. Information about federal marketing orders is available on AMS's Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Market Development Division at (202) 720-8085.<_o3a_p>

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to fruit vegetable and specialty crops marketing orders to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender<_o3a_p>