May 5, 2008Michigan apple growers continue marketing program
Michigan apple growers continue marketing program
Michigan apple producers voted to continue the Michigan Apple Advertising and Promotion Program.
Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), which conducted the referendum in March and April, said the program will now continue for five more years, until September 2013.
The Michigan Apple Advertising and Promotion Program was designed to improve the economic position of Michigan apple growers by developing advertising, promotion and publicity programs to create new markets for apples and/or apple products and to carry on market development and research.
A total of 172 valid ballots were cast, with 147 producers (85 percent) representing 4.2 million pounds of apples (91 percent) voting yes. Michigan has about 1,000 apple growers who produced 7.6 million pounds of apples last year.