This vote is too close and too important to sit out. The difference in 2018 was just 9 votes.
The future of your livelihood is at stake. Years of your investment into your business are in jeopardy, as its value to sell or pass down is directly tied to the health of our industry.
Your vote matters, and so does your voice. Please share our message, as it will mean the most coming from fellow growers!
HOW TO VOTE
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Sevice has announced the rules for the 2019 Christmas Tree Promotion Research, and Information Order Referendum. You can download the file here.
We have also broken it down to the main points below:
Eligibility Requirements:
-
- Persons who domestically produced or imported more than 500 trees from September 1, 2018 through March 15, 2019 and were subject to assessments during that period are eligible to vote.
-
- Persons who received an exemption from assessments pursuant to § 1214.53 for the entire representative period are ineligible to vote.
-
- It has been estimated that approximately 1,200 entities will be eligible to vote in the referendum.
- Any eligible producer or importer who does not receive a ballot should contact the referendum agent as soon as possible.
Timing & Instructions:
-
- The referendum will be conducted by mail ballot from April 22 through May 17, 2019.
-
- The Department will provide the option for ballots to be returned electronically.
-
- It will take an average of 15 minutes for each voter to read the voting instructions and complete the referendum ballot.
-
- Ballots delivered to the Department via regular U.S. mail must be postmarked by May 17, 2019.
-
- Ballots delivered to the Department via express mail or electronic mail must show proof of delivery by no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on May 17, 2019.
- Further details will be provided in the ballot instructions.
For Further Information Contact:
Patricia Petrella
Deputy Director
Promotion and Economics Division
Agricultural Marketing Service
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Room 1406–S, Stop 0244
Washington, DC 20250–0244