A staff report
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces an important opportunity for soybean producers to request a referendum to determine whether they want the Secretary to conduct a referendum on the Soybean Promotion and Research Order (Order), as authorized under the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act).
Participation in the request for referendum is voluntary. Soybean producers who wish to request a referendum on the program may do so during the designated period. If at least 10 percent, not to exceed ⅕ of producers from any one State, of the 515,008 eligible producers determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) participate in the request for referendum, a referendum will be held within one year from that determination. If the results of the request for referendum indicate that a referendum is not supported, a referendum will not be conducted. The results of the request for referendum will be published in a notice in the Federal Register.
Dates to Request Referendum: Soybean producers may request a referendum during the 4-week period beginning May 6, 2024, and ending May 31, 2024.
Eligibility: Producers must certify that they, or the producer entity they are authorized to represent, paid an assessment at any time between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, to participate in the request for referendum.
How to Request Referendum: Form LP-51-1, Soybean Promotion and Research Order Request for Referendum, can be obtained from May 6, 2024, to May 31, 2024, by mail, FAX, or in person from Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Offices, or can be downloaded from AMS website. Completed forms and supporting documentation must be returned to the appropriate FSA County Office:
- By FAX or in person no later than COB on May 31, 2024.
- By mail postmarked by midnight on May 31, 2024, and must be received in the FSA County Office by COB on June 7, 2024.
Notice of the Request for Referendum was published in the February 2, 2024, Federal Register. For more information, contact Jeana Harbison, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0249 – Room 2092-S; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0249; tel. (202) 720-5705; or via the Internet at AMS website.
This is a significant opportunity for soybean producers to have their voices heard regarding the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Information Program. Don’t miss the chance to participate in shaping the future of the soybean industry.
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