ODA certifies Ohio Corn Marketing Program Referendum results

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has certified the results of the Ohio Corn Marketing Program Referendum. The referendum, seeking to increase the state checkoff on corn from ½ of a cent to ¾ of a cent per bushel, received enough favorable votes to pass.

A total of 964 votes were certified; 819 votes, or 85 percent of the total, were cast in favor of the referendum and 145 votes, or 15 percent, were opposed. Producers were able to vote by absentee ballot or in person at the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association Office and Ohio State University Extension offices.

The provisions of the Ohio Corn Marketing Program are defined in section 924 of the Ohio Revised Code. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has the authority through section 924 to oversee state commodity checkoff programs, including administration of the referendum process, budgetary oversight and authority to assist in establishing new commodity programs.