WASHINGTON, March 14, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that California walnut growers will vote from April 1 - 19, 2014, on whether to continue their federal marketing order.
The marketing order requires that a referendum be held every six years. Growers who have produced walnuts in California from Sept. 1, 2012, through Aug. 31, 2013, are eligible to vote.
USDA would consider continuing the marketing order if two-thirds of the growers, or growers representing two-thirds of the volume of walnuts in the referendum, vote in favor of continuance.
Notice of the referendum was published in the March 14, 2014, Federal Register. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record. Eligible growers who do not receive a ballot may contact Andrea Ricci, by mail at USDA, AMS, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, CA 93721-3129; email at Andrea.Ricci@ams.usda.gov; phone at (559) 487-5901 or fax (559) 487-5906.
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