Michigan dry bean producers to vote on continuing research, development and promotion program
Michigan dry bean producers to vote on continuing research, development and promotion program
Agency: Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:March 19, 2014 Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724 or holtonj@michigan.gov Referendum contact: Deb Merrill, 517-284-5730 or merrilld@michiagn.gov
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 Rural Development (MDARD) beginning Monday, April 28 through May 9, 2014.
Ballots will be mailed to dry bean producers on April 24, 2014. 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 2009, 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 May 9, 2014, and should be sent to MDARD, Executive Office, P.O. Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909.
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