Corn assessment renewal up for vote Feb. 22

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 that farmers 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. A 24-member Board of Directors, representing all corn-producing areas of North Carolina, governs the organization’s activities. The board also gives support to issues of a local nature that members believe will benefit 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 remitted to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which would forward the proceeds to the association.

Any corn grower may get a refund of levied assessments from the Corn Growers Association of North Carolina. A request for a refund should be made within 30 days from the date the assessment is collected.