By KEVIN WALKER

Michigan Correspondent

LANSING, Mich. — The state’s Grade A milk producers are finishing a vote this week on whether to continue the Michigan Dairy Market Program.

The referendum on whether to continue the “Grade A” checkoff is conducted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The vote began Oct. 2 and is scheduled to end this Friday.

Ballots were mailed to eligible producers on Sept. 26. Dairy producers eligible to vote on the measure are those who produced products defined as Grade A milk for any market that had a value at first point of sale of $800 in any of the last three years. Grade A milk and milk products include fluid milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, dry milk and milk products including whey.

The Michigan Dairy Market Program was developed to promote the sale of milk and milk products produced in Michigan, and to increase consumer awareness of these. The program was established in January 1983. By law, it must be resubmitted for producer approval every five years. Currently, the assessment is 10 cents per cwt. of milk.

For the program to be renewed, more than 50 percent of the producer votes cast, representing more than 50 percent of the total unit of measure represented on the cast ballots, must approve it.

The Michigan Dairy Market Program Committee oversees the Grade A program and says it is dedicated to the promotion and consumer education of milk and milk products within the state. The committee works in conjunction with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan (UDIM) to promote the sale of dairy products and educate consumers, health professionals and teachers about the industry and the nutritional benefits of Michigan’s dairy products.

For example, UDIM administers the Dairy Promotion Grant Program. This provides funding for Michigan dairy producers, dairy farm employees or dairy cooperative employees to conduct promotional events in support of the industry. A total of $75,000 is available per calendar year for this effort.

The funding process requires eligible applicants to submit a completed grant application form, detailed timeline and an itemized budget in order to receive funding. Although the funding cycle for this program is year-round, money is limited and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is no limit for how many grants eligible applicants may apply. Some applicants have applied for and received multiple grants; however, a maximum of $1,500 in total grant funds will be awarded per year to an individual applicant or single farm entity, which includes family members and dairy farm employees.

More information about the grant program is available at the UDIM website at www.milkmeansmore.org

The Grade A promotion and marketing program is conducted in concert with the federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. Grade A milk products that are shipped interstate must comply with the ordinance.