The Tobacco Associates Referendum will be conducted on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Tobacco farmers that are 18 years of age and older — and were engaged in the production of flue-cured tobacco during the 2012 crop year — are eligible to vote.

Tobacco Associates’ programs directly create interest and demand for US flue-cured leaf in the export market. Tobacco Associates, Inc. was organized in 1947 and is the only grower financed promotional organization directing its activities to protect, promote, and expand foreign markets for US flue-cured leaf. A Board of Directors elected annually by flue-cured growers from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida governs the organization.

A two-thirds favorable vote will allow the continuation of an assessment not to exceed 1/5 of one cent per pound to fund export promotion and expansion programs for the next three marketing years.

In Sampson County, eligible farmers are encouraged to vote at the Sampson County Extension Center located at 55 Agriculture Place, Clinton, NC 28328 between 8 a.m. 5 p.m. on Jan. 23.