The Michigan Potato Industry Commission (MPIC) and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) will be hosting a public hearing on December 18, 2024, to take comment on MPIC’s proposal to adjust the assessment cap to reflect a rate of not more than 9-1/2 cents per hundredweight on potatoes for growers with 20 or more acres in the production of potatoes.
The public hearing will start at 1 pm (ET) at Greenstone Farm Credit Services, located 3515 West Road, Room 116, in East Lansing, MI 48823. Potato growers, and other interested parties, can also participate by teleconference by calling 248-509-0316 and then entering the meeting identification number of 432821681#.
During the hearing MDARD will take producer and public comment and input on the proposal to allow the Director of the Department to determine whether the proposed amendment will be put to a vote of all eligible potato growers. A second proposed amendment regarding the assessments paid by potato shippers will not be considered as the Potato Industry Commission Act 29 of 1970 does not provide a parallel process for shippers to change their assessments.
The Michigan Potato Industry Commission was created to promote the potato industry through research, promotion, advertising, and market development and expansion of the state’s potato industry. The current program as well as a copy of the proposed amendment are available on the MDARD website at www.michigan.gov/mdard or by calling 517-284-5730 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Source : michigan.gov