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Potato producers to vote on increasing checkoffPotato producers to vote on increasing checkoff

Ballots must be filled out completely, signed and postmarked by Feb. 14.

February 4, 2025

1 Min Read
Potatoes
REFERENDUM: Potato producers will vote on a proposed amendment to the program, including an assessment cap increase. Jennifer Kiel

A referendum to increase the Michigan potato checkoff will come before potato growers with more than 20 acres from Feb. 3-14.

Petitions signed by potato producers were submitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in October, requesting a proposed amendment to the program, including an assessment cap increase up to 9.5 cents (currently the cap is maxed at 5.5 cents) per cwt on potatoes grown in the state.

MDARD mailed ballots to potato producers Jan. 28. Producers are eligible to vote if all assessments were fully paid by July 15, 2024 (due date of the final quarterly report for the 2023 crop).

For this referendum, each producer is entitled to one vote representing a single firm, individual proprietorship, corporation, company, association, partnership, or a husband-wife team or family ownership.

All ballots must be filled out completely, signed and postmarked by Feb. 14 and should be sent to: MDARD, Executive Office; P.O. Box 30017; Lansing, MI 48909.

The Michigan Potato Industry Commission was created to promote the potato industry through research, promotion, advertising, and market development and expansion of the state’s potato industry.

Eligible producers with questions or those not receiving a ballot should contact MDARD toll-free at 800-292-3939.

Source: MDARD

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