NOVI,
Mich. – In October, Michigan dairy farmers will have the chance to decide where
the state’s dairy promotional dollars will be spent during the next five years.
A majority “yes” vote on the Dairy Promotion Referendum ballot, mailed to every
state dairy producer, will continue the educational and promotion efforts of
the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM). Ballots will be mailed September
26 and must be returned by October 14.
Under
national law, 15-cents per hundredweight are deducted from dairy producers’
milk checks for advertising and educational programs. The law permits 10 of the
15 cents to remain in Michigan to fund local programs. The upcoming referendum
will decide whether or not that 10 cents will stay in Michigan or go to the
national level.
“If
we pass the referendum, the Michigan dairy industry can keep the funds
necessary to continue to support the much-needed nutrition education and
advertising programs in our own geographic area that benefit our producers,”
says Doug Chapin, Michigan Milk Producers Association Board Chairman and dairy
farmer from Remus, Michigan. “If the referendum fails, the Michigan dairy
industry loses control of how and where that entire 15-cents is invested which
is the primary reason I encourage my fellow dairy farmers to take the time to
vote ‘yes’ and return the ballots.”
“It
is important to remember that a ‘no’ vote does not reduce the amount of money a
farmer will contribute to dairy promotion, only who will get to help direct a
portion of that money,” says Jerry Neyer, DFA member. “A ‘yes’ vote means
Michigan dairy farmers will continue to direct a dime of that 15- cents toward
in-state programs and promotion.”
Over the years, UDIM has established
numerous partnerships with health agencies, state agencies and leaders in the
field of education. The relationships promote programs such as school breakfast
and fighting childhood obesity by including dairy as part of a healthy diet
along with getting 60 minutes of physical activity every day. UDIM continues to
lead school health and wellness initiatives, playing a part in the development
of school food standards that recognize the value of dairy in good nutrition.
The 15-cent per hundredweight checkoff is authorized by the
Dairy and Tobacco Adjustment Act of 1983. The Michigan Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development administers the Michigan referendum.