Apr 8, 2015

Georgia vegetable growers approve new marketing order assessment

Georgia vegetable growers have a new marketing order. The Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Vegetables – Marketing Order for Vegetables was approved with 92 percent 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 percent 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, according to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The assessment applies to producers growing over 50 combined acres annually of the specified vegetables. Crops included in the new marketing order include bell pepper, specialty pepper, beans, broccoli, beets, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumber, eggplant, greens, squash, sweet potato and tomatoes for sale on the fresh market. The assessment is set at 1 cent per marketing unit as defined in the marketing order.

The new marketing order takes effect on May 1, 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.