Release No. 037-17
WASHINGTON, March 24, 2017 – Washington sweet cherry growers will vote from Apr. 21, 2017 through May 5, 2017, on whether to continue their Federal marketing order. Growers who have produced sweet cherries in designated counties in Washington from Apr. 1, 2016 through Mar. 31, 2017, are eligible to vote.
A continuance referendum is required every six years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would consider terminating the marketing order if continuance is not favored by a two-thirds majority of voting growers or a two-thirds majority of the volume of sweet cherries represented in the referendum.
The Washington Cherry Marketing Committee, comprised of growers and handlers, locally administers the marketing order. The committee can set grade, size, quality, maturity, and container regulations, with USDA approval. The order also enables the committee to conduct marketing research and development projects.
Notice of the referendum was published in the Feb. 14, 2017, Federal Register.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all producers of record. Eligible producers who do not receive ballots may contact Teresa Hutchinson or Gary Olson by email at Teresa.Hutchinson@ams.usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@ams.usda.gov, by phone at (503) 326-2724, by fax at (503) 326-7440, or by mail at:
Northwest Marketing Field Office
Marketing Order and Agreement Division
Specialty Crops Program
AMS, USDA
1220 SW 3rd Avenue
Suite 305
Portland, OR 97204
Get the latest Agricultural Marketing Service news at www.ams.usda.gov/news or follow us on Twitter @USDA_AMS. You can also read about us on the USDA blog.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender