The Georgia Peanut Commission encourages all peanut farmers to vote yes in support the continuance of the Peanut Promotion, Research and Information Order, which authorizes the National Peanut Board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is conducting the referendum from April 15 through May 3, 2019.

“The National Peanut Board continues to support Georgia’s peanut farmers through a variety of research projects and promotional efforts,” says Don Koehler, executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “It is vital for farmers to have this national promotion arm that continues to lead the way in allergy research and education.”

To be eligible to vote in this continuance referendum, persons must have produced peanuts and been subject to assessments during the representative period from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018.

Under the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 (Act), the U.S. Department of Agriculture must conduct a referendum every five years or when 10 percent or more of the eligible peanut producers petition the Secretary of Agriculture to hold a referendum to determine if persons subject to assessment favor continuance of the Order. The Department of Agriculture would continue the Order if continuance is approved by a simple majority of the producers voting in the referendum.

Eligible peanut producers will receive a ballot by mail and have the option for electronic balloting.

Voters must return ballots postmarked by May 3, 2019.