For immediate release: August 14, 2017

Media contact: Jessy Sielski, 517-284-5725

LANSING – In a unanimous vote, Michigan’s onion producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Onion Promotion and Development Program, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams announced today.

Established in September 1977, the Michigan Onion Promotion and Development Program was developed to improve the economic position of the state’s onion producers by creating greater marketing opportunities for Michigan onions. By law, the program must be renewed every five years.

The Michigan Onion Promotion and Development Program will continue for an additional five years beginning September 1, 2017. The current program assessment rate is $.06 per hundredweight of onions.

A total of 10 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. All 10 producers voted yes (100 percent) representing 364,099.36 pounds of onions (100 percent of the production volume represented).

For renewal of the program and its activities, more than 50 percent of the voting producers, representing more than 50 percent of the pounds sold by those voting, must have approved it.

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