During a recent public dialogue hosted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, key stakeholders from the Michigan potato sector, including growers and processors, collectively endorsed a proposal for an upward revision of the assessment cap. Travis Horkey, a board member of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission and a cultivator of fresh potatoes in Monroe County, represented the growers' perspective, advocating for an assessment cap adjustment to a maximum of 9.5 cents per hundredweight. Horkey emphasized the importance of maintaining a robust representation of the industry, citing the diminishing number of growers.
The current assessment framework levies up to 5.5 cents per hundredweight annually on growers and an additional 1.5 cents for the first handler. These funds are instrumental in supporting various industry initiatives, including research, promotion, advertising, and market development. Philip Gusmano, Vice President of Purchasing at Better Made Snack Foods, highlighted the necessity of this adjustment to sustain the checkoff's capacity to address escalating costs, critiquing any limitations on the Commission's revenue-generating capabilities as detrimental to the sector's welfare.
The decision from the MDARD Director regarding the proposed changes is anticipated within 45 days following the hearing. This decision could potentially trigger a vote on the referendum change. It's noteworthy that the last approval for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission referendum was achieved unanimously in 2022.
Source: Brownfield