Mar 29, 2017

Washington sweet cherry growers to vote on marketing order

Washington sweet cherry growers will vote from Apr. 21 through May 5, 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 order also enables the committee to conduct marketing research and development projects.

Notice of the referendum was published in the Feb. 14, Federal Register.

The Agricultural Marketing Service 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 [email protected] or [email protected]; 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