Program Referenda

AMS is responsible for conducting referenda for Research and Promotion programs. Simply put, a referendum is an event where eligible parties vote for or against a specific issue. The reasons for a referendum are dependent upon the specific regulations governing that commodity. There are typically three reasons for conducting a referendum, which are outlined in each program’s regulations:

  • Establishment of a new research and promotion program
  • Continuation of an existing research and promotion program
  • If 10% or more of eligible voters (assessment payers) request a referendum

Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture may hold a referendum at any time.

Upcoming Referenda

National Mango Board – Oct. - Nov. 2025
The Secretary of Agriculture will conduct a referendum to determine whether eligible first handlers and importers of mangos favor continuance of the mango research and promotion program. USDA would continue the order if it is favored by a majority of first handlers and importers voting in the referendum.  

Referendum Agents: George Webster, Marketing Specialist, and Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0244. Telephone: (202) 720-8085. Electronic mail: George.Webster@usda.gov and Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov. 

Voting Period: Oct. 22, 2025, through November 12, 2025. Each person who is an eligible first handler or importer during the representative period from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, shall be entitled to cast a ballot in the referendum. 

Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion and Research Program – July 2025
The Secretary of Agriculture will conduct a referendum to determine whether eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging favor the continuation of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order. USDA would continue the Order if it is favored by a majority of domestic manufacturers and importers voting in the referendum who also represent a majority of the volume represented in the referendum.

Referendum Agents: George Webster, Marketing Specialist, and Kelly Robertson, Acting Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0244, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. Telephone: (202) 720-8085 Electronic Mail: George.Webster@usda.gov and KellyM.Robertson@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum is July 14, 2025, through July 25, 2025. Each person who is an eligible domestic manufacturer or importer at the time of the referendum and during the representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, shall be entitled to cast a ballot in the referendum.

Completed Referenda

Proposed Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order – January – February, 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible natural grass sod producers favored the issuance of the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 63.51% of natural grass sod producers voting were not in favor of issuing a program. For the Order to be issued, it must be approved by a simple majority of producers voting in the referendum who, during the representative period determined by the Secretary, engaged in the production of natural grass sod.

Referendum Agents: Maribel Reyna, Director, Research and Promotion Division, LPP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0249, Room 2092-S, Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-0249, were designated as the referendum agent to conduct the referendum.  Telephone: 202-302-1139 Electronic Mail: Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov.

Voting Period: The voting period for the referendum was January 13, 2025, through February 11, 2025. Natural grass sod producers who produced natural grass sod from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.

Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order – May -June 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible pecan producers and importers favored the continuation of the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 74.89% of pecan producers and importers voting were in favor of continuing the program. For the Order to continue, it must be approved by a majority of producers and importers voting for approval in the referendum who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, engaged in the production or importation of pecans.

Referendum Agents: Matthew Collins, Marketing Specialist, and Katie Cook, Marketing Specialist, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, were designated as the referendum agents to conduct the referendum.  Telephone: 972-210-9109 Electronic Mail: MatthewB.Collins@usda.gov and Katie.Cook@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was May 10, 2024 through June 10, 2024. Pecan producers and importers who produced or imported 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans (25,000 pounds of shelled pecans) from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.
 

Peanut Promotion and Research Program – April 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible peanut producers favored the continuation of the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 93.23% of peanut producers voting were in favor of continuing the program. For the program to continue, it must be favored by a simple majority of peanut producers voting in the referendum.

Referendum Agents: Vickie Carpenter, Marketing Specialist, and Deanna Bakken, Marketing Specialist, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum.  Telephone: (202) 400-1865 Electronic Mail: VictoriaM.Carpenter@usda.gov and Deanna.Bakken@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was April 8, 2024 through April 19, 2024. Peanut producers who were subject to assessments from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.

Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion and Research Program – October 2023

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible manufacturers or importers favor the continuation of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order. In the referendum, 53% of domestic manufacturers and importers voting, who represented 53% of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging voting in the referendum, were in favor of continuing the program. Over 50% of the domestic manufacturers and importers voting and over 50% of the volume voting in the referendum were required to vote in favor for the program to continue.

Referendum Agents: Marlene Betts, Marketing Specialist, and Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. Telephone: (202) 720-8085 Electronic Mail: Marlene.Betts@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was October 6, 2023 through October 20, 2023. Current manufacturers and importers who manufactured or imported 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.