Five-Year Continuance Referendum for California Almonds Slated for December

This December, California almond growers will have the opportunity to vote in the five-year continuance referendum for their federal marketing order program, overseen by the Almond Board of California and mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Marketing orders, initiated by the industry, enable growers and handlers to work together to tackle industry changes and drive marketing success. Through the Almond Board’s initiatives, key areas like domestic and international marketing, nutrition research, data collection, production research, and food quality have been strengthened. By working together, the almond industry has developed valuable tools for growers, driven demand, and achieved impressive milestones over the years. 

In the previous referendum held in 2019, 95 percent of voting growers, representing 97 percent of the volume, supported continuing the marketing order. To participate in this referendum, growers must have produced California almonds between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024. Growers should keep an eye out for USDA ballots that will be arriving in the mail in early December. 

The referendum is only about whether or not to continue the California Almond Marketing Order – NO CHANGES are being proposed. 

Ballots must be returned to USDA between December 4 and December 20. For the marketing order to remain in effect, it requires approval from at least two-thirds of voting growers or two-thirds of the almond volume represented in the vote.   

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record provided by California almond handlers. Growers will also have the option to vote by electronic ballot. Eligible growers who do not receive a ballot by Dec. 4, 2024, should contact Peter Sommers at Peterr.Sommers@usda.gov or (559) 487-5901. Requests for a ballot may also be mailed to West Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102-B, Fresno, California 93721-3129.