USDA mailed ballots and voting instructions to all eligible producers, having produced walnuts in California between Sept. 1, 2020, through Aug. 31, 2021. USDA will consider continuing the marketing order if two-thirds or more of producers voting in the referendum, or producers representing two-thirds or more of the volume of California walnuts, vote in favor.
USDA will not exclusively consider results of the continuance referendum. USDA will also consider all other relevant information concerning the operation of the Order and relative benefits and disadvantages to growers, handlers, and consumers in order to determine whether continued operation of the Order would tend to effectuate the declared policy of the Act.
Questions about ballots or voting should be directed to Joshua R. Wilde or Gary D. Olson, Northwest Marketing Field Office, Marketing Order and Agreement Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 1220 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 305, Portland, OR 97204; Telephone: (503) 326–2724, or Email: Joshua.R.Wilde@usda.gov or GaryD.Olson@usda.gov.
The marketing order authorizes the California walnut industry and the California Walnut Board to conduct research and marketing promotions, establish quality regulations, and implement volume control, under USDA’s oversight. It also requires a continuance referendum every six years to determine producers’ level of support for the program. More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California is available on AMS’s 984 California walnuts webpage.
About the California Walnut Board
The California Walnut Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. The Board is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers.
California Walnut Board Primary Functions
California Walnut Board Key Activities
