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

The Secretary of Agriculture will conduct a referendum to determine whether eligible natural grass sod producers favor the issuance of the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order. A second proposed rule for Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order and a final rule for Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Referendum Procedures were published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2024. Eligible producers must have sold natural grass sod products between January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024 in order to vote in the referendum.

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

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum is 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) are eligible to vote in the referendum.
 

Completed Referenda

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.

Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion and Research Program – October 2023

The Secretary of Agriculture conducted a referendum to determine whether eligible manufacturers or importers favor the continuation of the Paper and Paper-Based Packaging Promotion, Research and Information Order. In the referendum, 53% of domestic manufacturers and importers voting, who represented 53% of the volume of paper and paper-based packaging voting in the referendum, were in favor of continuing the program. Over 50% of the domestic manufacturers and importers voting and over 50% of the volume voting in the referendum were required to vote in favor for the program to continue.

Referendum Agents: Marlene Betts, Marketing Specialist, and Alexandra Caryl, Branch Chief, SCP, AMS, USDA, Stop 0244, Room 1406–S, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, are designated as the referendum agents to conduct this referendum. Telephone: (202) 720-8085 Electronic Mail: Marlene.Betts@usda.gov.

Voting Period:  The voting period for the referendum was October 6, 2023 through October 20, 2023. Current manufacturers and importers who manufactured or imported 100,000 short tons or more of paper and paper-based packaging from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022 (representative period) were eligible to vote in the referendum.