May 8, 2013

Michigan asparagus growers support marketing effort

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced asparagus producers have voted to continue the Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program.

MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams said the program will continue for an additional five years – beginning June 8, 2013, and ending June 7, 2018. The current assessment rate cannot exceed 2 cents per pound.

A total of 66 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 64 producers voted yes (97 percent) representing 11,018,175 pounds of asparagus (97 percent), and two producers voted no (3 percent) representing 382,226 pounds (3 percent). The program is renewed because more than 50 percent of the producer votes cast, representing more than 50 percent of the total number of pounds represented on the cast ballots, approved it.

The Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program was designed to improve the economic position of Michigan asparagus growers by supporting research and market development efforts. The program was last approved in 2008, and by law, must be renewed every five years.