By Clint Thompson
All Georgia pecan growers planning to vote on this month’s one-cent per pound assessment need to have their ballots postmarked by Saturday, May 30.
Georgia’s pecan farmers are voting this month to renew a one-cent per pound assessment on pecans for the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Pecans.
Ballots have been sent to Georgia growers who own at least 30 acres or more. The vote on the assessment is required under Georgia law. Producers are required to vote every three years to renew the assessment.
According to Andy Harrison, commodity commissions manager for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, of the returning votes, there needs to be a 2/3 voting affirmative for the assessment to pass. He estimates there have been about 700 or 800 ballots sent to pecan growers.
It’s one cent per pound on pecans marketed. That money can be used for research, education or promotion for Georgia pecans.
The back of the return envelope must be completed for the ballot to be valid. The commodity commission utilizes assessment funds for research, education, and promotion of Georgia pecans.
Harrison emphasized that the Georgia Department of Ag administers the funds. But it is the Georgia Pecan Commission who decides how the money is spent.
Growers of 30 or more acres who have not received a ballot should contact Andy Harrison, at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov.