Georgia Blueberry Growers Vote on Continuation of Assessment

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says Georgia blueberry growers can vote on the continuation of the Georgia Commission Blueberry Marketing Order March 1 – 30, 2021. The market order allows for assessment of blueberries produced in Georgia.

Growers who annually produce and market 2000 pounds or more of blueberries are eligible to vote and will receive a ballot. The current assessment amount is set at $5.00 per ton.

Growers who receive a ballot should vote and return the addressed envelope by March 30, 2021. They must also sign and fill out the back of the envelope to certify they are a qualified Georgia blueberry producer for the ballot to be counted.

A favorable vote of 66, a percentage of two-thirds of the returned eligible ballots, is required for the continuation of the market order.

Any eligible grower who does not receive a ballot is asked to contact Andy Harrison (Manager, Commodity Commissions for the Georgia Department of Agriculture) via email at Andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or phone 404-710-1196.

The Georgia Blueberry Commission was created by the Georgia Legislature at the request of Georgia blueberry growers in 2008. Funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries are used for research, education and promotion of Georgia blueberries. Some of the research funded includes projects on Spotted Winged Drosophila, fruit quality, nutrition traits of varieties, development of varieties, disease management and federal trade import investigation.