March 19, 2008

LANSING - Michigan asparagus producers have voted to continue the Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program.

The Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program helps improve the economic position of Michigan asparagus growers by supporting research and market development efforts. The program was last approved in 2003, and by law, must be renewed every five years.

The program will continue for an additional five years, beginning June 8, 2008 and ending June 7, 2013. The current assessment is at a rate not to exceed two cents per pound.

A total of 71 valid ballots were cast in the referendum. Of those, 62 producers voted yes (87 percent) representing just over 12 million pounds of asparagus (92 percent) and nine producers voted no (13 percent) representing approximately 1 million pounds (eight percent). For the program to have been renewed, more than 50 percent of the producer votes cast, representing more than 50 percent of the total number of bushels represented on the cast ballots, must have approved it.