Program Referenda

AMS is responsible for conducting referenda for Research and Promotion programs. Simply put, a referendum is an event where eligible parties vote for or against a specific issue. The reasons for a referendum are dependent upon the specific regulations governing that commodity. There are typically three reasons for conducting a referendum, which are outlined in each program’s regulations:

  • Establishment of a new research and promotion program
  • Continuation of an existing research and promotion program
  • If 10% or more of eligible voters (assessment payers) request a referendum

Additionally, the Secretary of Agriculture may hold a referendum at any time.

Upcoming Referenda

Real Christmas Tree Board – May - June 2026

The Secretary of Agriculture will conduct a referendum to determine whether eligible domestic producers and importers of Christmas trees favor the continuation of the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order). For the Order to continue, it must be favored by a majority of eligible domestic producers and importers voting in the referendum. To be eligible to vote, domestic producers and importers must have produced or imported 500 or more Christmas trees from September 1, 2025, through March 15, 2026, and must be subject to assessment under the Order. 

Referendum Agents: George Webster, Marketing Specialist, or Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct the referendum. Telephone: (202) 720–8085; email: George.Webster@usda.gov or Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov.

Voting Period: The voting period for this referendum is May 22 - June 2, 2026. 
 

Blueberry Promotion and Research Program – July 2026

The Secretary of Agriculture will be conducting a referendum to determine whether eligible producers and importers of blueberries favor the continuation of the Blueberry Promotion, Research, and Information Order. For the Blueberry Promotion and Research program to continue, it must be favored by a majority of the producers and importers voting in the referendum, who also represent a majority of the volume of blueberries represented in the referendum. Producers and importers of 2,000 pounds or more of blueberries and who were subject to assessments from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025 (representative period) are eligible to vote in the referendum.

Referendum Agents: Jeanette Palmer, Marketing Specialist, or Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. Telephone: (202) 720-8085; email: Jeanette.Palmer@usda.gov or Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov.

Voting Period: The voting period for the referendum is July 13 to 24, 2026. 

Completed Referenda

National Mango Board – Oct. - Nov. 2025

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible first handlers and importers of mangos favored continuance of the mango Research and Promotion program. In the referendum, 94.12% of first handlers and importers voting were in favor of continuing the program. For the Order to continue, it must have been approved by a majority of first handlers and importers.  

Referendum Agents: George Webster, Marketing Specialist, and Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250–0244. Telephone: (202) 720-8085. Electronic mail: George.Webster@usda.gov and Alexandra.Caryl@usda.gov. 
Voting Period: October 22, 2025, through November 12, 2025. Each person who is an eligible first handler or importer during the representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, were eligible to cast a ballot in the referendum. 

Voting Period:  October 22, 2025, through November 12, 2025. Each person who is an eligible first handler or importer during the representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, were eligible to cast a ballot in the referendum. 

Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion and Research Program – July 2025

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible domestic manufacturers and importers of paper and paper-based packaging favored the continuation of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order. In the referendum, 73.53% of eligible domestic manufacturers and importers, representing 90.39% of the volume represented in the referendum, were not in favor of continuing the Order. USDA would have continued the Order if it had been favored by a majority of domestic manufacturers and importers voting in the referendum who also represented a majority of the volume represented in the referendum.

Referendum Agents: George Webster, Marketing Specialist, and Kelly Robertson, Acting Branch Chief, Mid-Atlantic Region Branch, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0244. Telephone: (202) 720-8085 Electronic Mail: George.Webster@usda.gov and KellyM.Robertson@usda.gov.
Voting Period: The voting period for the referendum was July 14, 2025, through July 25, 2025. Each person who was an eligible domestic manufacturer or importer at the time of the referendum and during the representative period from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, was entitled to cast a ballot in the referendum. 

Proposed Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order – January – February, 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible natural grass sod producers favored the issuance of the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 63.51% of natural grass sod producers voting were not in favor of issuing a program. For the Order to be issued, it must be approved by a simple majority of producers voting in the referendum who, during the representative period determined by the Secretary, engaged in the production of natural grass sod.

Referendum Agents: Maribel Reyna, Director, Research and Promotion Division, LPP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0249, Room 2092-S, Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250-0249, were designated as the referendum agent to conduct the referendum.  Telephone: 202-302-1139 Electronic Mail: Maribel.Reyna@usda.gov.

Voting Period: The voting period for the referendum was January 13, 2025, through February 11, 2025. Natural grass sod producers who produced natural grass sod from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.

Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order – May -June 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible pecan producers and importers favored the continuation of the Pecan Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 74.89% of pecan producers and importers voting were in favor of continuing the program. For the Order to continue, it must be approved by a majority of producers and importers voting for approval in the referendum who, during a representative period determined by the Secretary, engaged in the production or importation of pecans.

Referendum Agents: Matthew Collins, Marketing Specialist, and Katie Cook, Marketing Specialist, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, were designated as the referendum agents to conduct the referendum.  Telephone: 972-210-9109 Electronic Mail: MatthewB.Collins@usda.gov and Katie.Cook@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was May 10, 2024 through June 10, 2024. Pecan producers and importers who produced or imported 50,000 pounds of inshell pecans (25,000 pounds of shelled pecans) from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum. 

Peanut Promotion and Research Program – April 2024

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible peanut producers favored the continuation of the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Order. In the referendum, 93.23% of peanut producers voting were in favor of continuing the program. For the program to continue, it must be favored by a simple majority of peanut producers voting in the referendum.

Referendum Agents: Vickie Carpenter, Marketing Specialist, and Deanna Bakken, Marketing Specialist, Market Development Division, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum.  Telephone: (202) 400-1865 Electronic Mail: VictoriaM.Carpenter@usda.gov and Deanna.Bakken@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was April 8, 2024 through April 19, 2024. Peanut producers who were subject to assessments from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.