Source: NCDA&CS, 2/21/17

North Carolina corn growers will vote Feb. 22 on a six-year continuation of their commodity assessment program. The Board of Directors of the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina is asking farmers to assess themselves at a rate of 1.25 cents per bushel on all corn marketed in North Carolina.

The association is involved in the following areas: international and domestic marketing; research and education; grants to Cooperative Extension offices; and legislation that will be helpful to corn growers and other farmers.

Growers may vote at local Cooperative Extension offices from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. All farmers currently engaged in the production of corn — including tenants, sharecroppers or other persons sharing in the production of corn or income from corn — are eligible to vote. A two-thirds favorable vote is required to approve the referendum.

If approved, the assessment would be collected by the first handler or purchaser of the commodity from the producer and submitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which would forward the proceeds to the association.