RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Tomato Growers Association will conduct an August referendum on continuing the $20 per acre assessment on harvested commercial tomatoes. Funds generated by the assessment would support research, education and programs to promote N.C. tomatoes.
The proposed assessment term is six years, beginning with the 2023 crop. All North Carolina farmers engaged in the production of tomatoes on a commercial basis, including owners of farms where tomatoes are produced, tenants and sharecroppers, are eligible to vote.
Ballots will be mailed to growers on Aug. 21, 2023. Those who have not received ballots by August 29, 2023, will have 10 days to apply for an official ballot from the association by contacting Ellen Moss, executive secretary, N.C. Tomato Growers Association, 2491 St. Paul’s Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, (828) 685-3989, Ellen_moss@yahoo.com.
Growers should indicate their preference about the referendum and return their ballot by mail. All ballots should be postmarked by 5 p.m. on September 26, 2023, and mailed to: Ellen Moss, Executive Secretary, N.C. Tomato Growers Association, 2491 St. Paul’s Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
If approved, NCDA&CS will continue to collect the assessment funds and turn them over to the N.C. Tomato Growers Association, whose board of directors would administer the funds.
The proposed assessment referendum must pass by a two-thirds majority. The August referendum is effective statewide.