Mar 17, 2017

Michigan cherry producers approve continuation referendum

Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams announced March 17 that the state’s cherry producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program.

Established in May 1972, the Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program was developed to improve the economic position of the state’s cherry producers by creating greater marking opportunities for Michigan cherries. By law, the program must be renewed every five years.

The Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program will continue for an additional five years beginning July 1, 2017. The current program assessment is $10 per ton for sweet or tart cherries and $5 per ton for cherries sold for juice.   

A total of 135 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 101 producers voted yes (75 percent) representing 134,134,560.59 pounds of cherries (88 percent of the production volume represented) and 34 producers voted no (25 percent) representing 18,888,510.95 pounds (12 percent).

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.