Feb 1, 2024

Growers voting on continuing Georgia Vegetable Commission

Georgia vegetable growers are voting on whether to continue the Georgia Vegetable Commission marketing order.

Voting began Feb. 1 and continues through March 2, according to a news release.

The marketing order allows assessment of one cent per marketing unit of vegetables as described in the current marketing order.

The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Vegetables marketing order applies to growers with 50 acres or more of the total annual production of the following crops – beans, bell pepper, specialty pepper,  broccoli, beets, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, greens (including collards, turnip greens, mustard, and kale), squash ( including yellow, zucchini and winter squash), sweet potato, and tomato.

Funds collected by the Georgia Vegetable Commission are used for research, education, and promotion of these crops. It is the policy that the commission allocates at least 75% of the money collected toward research projects by the University of Georgia and other research institutions that best serve the Georgia Growers.

Read the 2023 Commission Report here.

Some previously funded areas have been on whiteflies, fungal disease diagnoses and control, viral diseases, variety development, fumigation, and weed control.

The Georgia General Assembly established the marketing order in 2006 at the request of growers through the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.

Every three years, the marketing order must be reapproved by a vote of eligible vegetable growers by a two-thirds affirmative vote, according to the marketing order.

Growers who have not received ballots in the mail by Feb. 10 can contact Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Andy Harrison at [email protected] or call 404-710-1196.