USDA Set for Vote on Tart Cherry Marketing Order

USDA is set to conduct a referendum among eligible tart cherry growers and processors March 30 through April 20, 2026, to determine their level of support for continuing their federal marketing order.

The order requires USDA to conduct a continuance referendum every six years in March. To be eligible to vote, growers or processors within the production area must have produced or processed tart cherries during the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

USDA would consider termination of the order if less than 50% of the growers and processors voting in the referendum, and less than 50% the tart cherry volume represented in the referendum, vote in favor of continuance.

Notice of the referendum was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2026.

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USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers and processors of record. Growers will also have the option to vote by electronic ballot. Eligible growers or processors who do not receive a ballot by April 10, 2026, should contact Steven Kauffman at [email protected].

CLICK HERE for more information about the marketing order.