California almond growers will vote on whether to continue their Federal marketing order from Feb. 18, 2014, through March 7, 2014.
Growers who have produced almonds in California from Aug. 1, 2012, through July 31, 2013, are eligible to vote. A continuance referendum is required every five years.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would consider terminating the marketing order if less than two-thirds of the growers voting in the referendum, or growers representing less than two-thirds of the volume of almonds, vote in favor of the order.
Notice of the referendum was published in the Dec. 23, 2013, Federal Register. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record. Eligible growers who do not receive a ballot may contact Maria Stobbe by mail at USDA, AMS, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, CA 93721-3129; e-mail at Maria.Stobbe@ams.usda.gov, phone at (559) 487-5901 or Fax (559) 487-5906.