Notice: Marketing Order for Tobacco

The recent referendum, which ended on March 30, resulted in the required number of producers voting in favor of approving the major amendment to the Marketing Order for Tobacco. The major amendment reads:

            678-1-.09 Method of Finance, Amended

• Projects, undertakings and expenses incurred under this Order shall be financed by a maximum annual assessment and levy of 75 cents per hundred pounds of all flue-cured tobacco. Upon the approval of the requisite number of producers and effective as of May 1, 2014, a maximum annual levy and assessment of 75 cents per hundred pounds of flue-cured tobacco is hereby made. As of the effective date of May 1, 2014, and henceforth, the Commission will only assess 50 cents of the maximum 75 cents and will not increase above the 50 cent assessment rate without notifying producers and holding a producer meeting. Such levy shall continue of force and effect from year to year until this Order is suspended or superseded as provided by law and each year during the time this Order remains of force and effect.

Therefore, beginning May 1, 2014, all flue-cured tobacco grown in Georgia for sale will be assessed at a rate of 50 cents per hundred pounds. Assessment payments should continue to be sent to the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Tobacco, and be addressed as follows: 19 MLK Jr. Drive SW, Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30334.

Tobacco Commission Accepting Nominations

Courtesy Georgia Department of Agriculture Marketing Division

The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Tobacco is now accepting nominations to fill open positions on its board. Nominees must be Georgia tobacco producers and must be affected by Georgia's Marketing Order for Tobacco.

Nominations can be made by filling out a Nominee Information form, available at Farm Services Administration offices, and sending the form to the following address:
Georgia Department of Agriculture
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
Room 324
Atlanta, GA 30334

Nomination forms can also be faxed to 404-656-9380. The deadline for submitting nominations is Monday, Dec. 9, 2013.

Nominees will be certified to ensure that they are active tobacco producers in Georgia. Geographic representation will be considered when making appointments.

Georgia's Agricultural Commodity Commission for Tobacco is a farmer-funded self-help program to enhance research, promotion and education in the tobacco industry. It is authorized in Georgia law under the Commodity Promotions Act.

For questions, contact the Marketing Division at 404-656-3678.