Ag News

Georgia checkoffs: Vegetables extended, wine rejected

On April 11, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) announced that Georgia vegetable producers voted to extend the one-cent-per-marketing-unit checkoff fee on 14 key vegetable crops for another three years. The decision, supported by more than 90% of producers who returned their ballots, reflects their commitment to ensuring fresh, nutritious food for all Georgians.

The approved market order covers crops including cabbage, beans, greens, bell peppers, specialty peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, carrots, beets, cantaloupes, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and cucumbers, providing vital support for growers statewide.

Funds collected by the Georgia Vegetable Commission contribute to research initiatives conducted by the University of Georgia, focusing on production enhancement, disease control, and pest management. To participate, growers must produce 50 acres or more of designated crops annually.

Meanwhile, Georgia wine producers rejected a proposed market order for the Georgia Wine Commission, the GDA announced on April 5. The failed proposal would have set assessment rates of five cents per liter on retail wine sales and one cent per liter on wholesale sales. Of the ballots submitted, 39% were in favor of passage, falling short of the required two-thirds needed for passage. This is the second consecutive year the wine market order failed to pass.

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