Jan 13, 2012
Cherry growers continue marketing order

Washington state sweet cherry growers have voted to continue their federal marketing order, according to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

During a November referendum, 92 percent of eligible growers who voted, representing 82 percent of the participating volume, favored continuing the marketing order. A referendum is required once every six years. It passes if two-thirds of the growers voting, or growers who produce two-thirds of the volume of sweet cherries represented in the referendum, vote to continue the order.

“The industry’s favorable vote shows that they find value in the marketing order and the opportunities it provides in expanding the sweet cherry market and helping local growers thrive,” said Robert Keeney, acting administrator for AMS.

Marketing orders and marketing agreements are designed to help stabilize market conditions for fruits, vegetables and specialty crops. The programs allow farmers to work collectively to solve marketing problems. Industries voluntarily enter into these programs and choose to have federal oversight of certain aspects of their operations, according to AMS.

Washington state sweet cherry growers have voted to continue their federal marketing order, according to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.




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