Cranberry Growers in 10 States to Vote on Marketing Order

AMS No. 045-11

Hakim Fobia (202)690-0488Hakim.fobia@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that cranberry growers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and New York, will vote from May 16 through May 31, 2011, on whether to continue their federal marketing order.

The marketing order requires that a continuance referendum is held every four years. To be eligible to vote, growers must have produced cranberries within the production area during the period Sept. 1, 2009, through Aug. 31, 2010.

“Marketing orders help maintain the quality of produce on the market,” said Administrator Rayne Pegg, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

Termination would be considered if less than a majority of growers, by number and volume, favor continuance. Notice of the referendum will be published in the March 23, 2011, Federal Register.

AMS will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record. Eligible growers not receiving ballots may request them from Dawana J. Clark or Kenneth G. Johnson, USDA AMS FV DC Marketing Field Office, 4700 River Road, Unit 155, Riverdale, MD 20737; by calling (301) 734-5243; faxing (301) 734-5275; or e-mailing dawana.clark@ams.usda.gov or kenneth.johnson@ams.usda.gov.

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