Michigan’s cherry producers have approved a referendum to continue the Michigan Cherry Promotion and Development Program, according to Jamie Clover Adams, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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 program will continue for an additional five years beginning July 1. 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%), representing 134,134,561 pounds of cherries (88% of the production volume represented) and 34 producers voted no (25%,) representing 18,888,511 pounds (12%).

For renewal of the program and its activities, more than 50% of the voting producers, representing more than 50% of the pounds sold by those voting, must have approved it.

Source: MDARD