Georgia pecan producers voted to continue the Georgia Pecan Commission for another three years during a mail referendum held May 1 to May 30.

The referendum passed by 93.4 percent with 156 producers voting to continue the commission and 11 against. 



The commission was established by Georgia pecan producers in 1995 and must be reaffirmed every three years.

The commission coordinates promotion, education and research programs for the state's pecan industry.

 State law requires that at least 66 2/3 percent of the producers voting must vote in favor of continuing the organization.

Ballots were mailed to 586 producers. A total of 176 ballots were returned of which nine were invalid. Producers growing 30 or more acres of pecans are eligible to vote in the statewide referendum. 



Growers are assessed a half-cent per pound for in-shell nuts to finance the commission's programs. Growers with fewer than 30 acres are not required to participate.



The Georgia Pecan Commission Board of Directors consists of producers John Robison, chairman, of Lyons; Thomas Mason, vice-chairman, of Kathleen; J.W. Christiansen, Jr., of Albany; Mark Cook, of Davisboro and Tom Stone of Thomasville and ex-officio members Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black; Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall, Buddy Leger and Russ Moon.

For more from the Georgia Farm Bureau, visit http://www.gfb.org/.

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