May 15, 2013
www.gfb.org
Vol. 31 No. 20
GEORGIA EGG PRODUCERS VOTE TO END EGG COMMISSION Georgia table egg producers have voted to end the Georgia Egg Commission, which has worked since its establishment in 1961 to promote eggs to consumers, educate egg producers about industry issues and support egg research. Producers voting in a mail referendum held April 1-30 cast seven votes to end the commission and five to continue its work. Five ballots were not returned. The Georgia Department of Agriculture counted the ballots May 6. State law requires that all state agricultural commodity commissions hold referendums every three years. For a commission to continue, 66 2/3 percent of the producers who vote must vote to continue the commission. “In 1961, Georgia egg producers had a vision of the future that needed a program of promotion, education and research. Speaking on behalf of our current and past board of directors, advisors and employees, it has been an honor for us to carry forth this dream and to watch it grow into a great program for a great industry,” Georgia Egg Commission President Robert Howell said in a released statement. Georgia table egg producers paid an assessment of 4.5 cents per 30-dozen case of eggs, which generated about $350,000 annually to fund the commission’s promotion, education and research activities. The commission board of directors were: Dennis Hughes of Blackshear, chairman; Jerry Straughan, vice chairman; Larry Thomason, Calhoun: Gijs Schimmel, Lexington and Ky Hendrix, Madison. Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black and Georgia Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall served as ex officio members of the commission. “All of Georgia’s agricultural commodity commissions exist at the pleasure of the producers each commission represents, and so we respect the egg producers’ decision to end their commission,” Duvall said. “I commend the Egg Commission staff and its directors for the work they have done on behalf of Georgia’s egg producers and in promoting eggs to consumers. The commission will be missed by Georgia’s agricultural community as we continue to work to educate the public about agriculture, the nutritional benefits of our commodities and the importance of farmers.” Since this is the first commodity commission with active production to be voted out, Howell said there are many details that must be addressed in the coming weeks to close out the commission. The commission held its 30th annual recipe contest May 15 as scheduled. The commission staff also manages the Georgia Egg Association, which will still have its annual meeting June 19-21 on St. Simon’s Island.