Alabama Voters Allow Cotton Growers to Determine Status of State Checkoff Fee

Alabama voters approved a state constitutional amendment July 15 allowing Alabama cotton growers to hold their own referendum to determine if post-harvest cotton checkoff fees to fund marketing and research of their crop should be mandatory.

Under the current system, growers can opt out of the program and receive a refund for the fee after their harvest. Proponents of the amendment say the checkoff fund benefits all cotton growers, regardless of whether they choose to participate.