From the Georgia Department of Agriculture:
Georgia vegetable growers have a new marketing order. The Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Vegetables – Marketing Order for Vegetables was approved with 92% of eligible growers responding in favor of the new assessment during the balloting period of March 1 through March 30. For a vote to be valid, at least 25% of the eligible ballots must be returned. This new marketing order replaces the marketing order which failed passage in 2014 due to a lack of returns.
The assessment applies to producers growing over 50 combined acres annually of the specified vegetables. Crops included in the new Marketing Order for Vegetables include – bell pepper, specialty pepper, beans, broccoli, beets, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, greens, squash, sweet potato, and tomatoes produce for sale on the fresh market. The assessment is set at one cent ($0.01) per marketing unit as defined in the Marketing Order for Vegetables.
The new marketing order takes effect on May 1, 2015 and is valid for three years. It is the vegetable grower’s responsibility to see that the assessment is paid or is taken out of settlement of vegetables sold. Assessment funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Vegetables are used for research, education, and promotion.
About Georgia Grown
The Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown program provides a powerful branding tool as well as education, marketing and business connections to expand agribusinesses and the agricultural industry throughout the state. Learn more or join Georgia Grown at www.georgiagrown.com.