USDA Sets Referendum Dates for an Amendment to the California Almond Marketing Order

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it will conduct a referendum Nov. 2 to 20, 2026, on a proposed amendment to the federal marketing order for California almonds.

The proposed amendment would establish borrowing authority to allow the Almond Board of California to borrow funds from financial institutions through a seasonal line of credit.

Beginning in 2020, the board identified and evaluated challenges associated with managing cash flow between the timing of assessment collections and program expenditures. At its Aug. 8, 2024, meeting, the board recommended adding the authority to better manage approved expenditures within its established internal control policies and help maintain cash flow to support operations.

The proposed amendment would become effective if approved by two-thirds of the growers voting in the referendum or by growers representing at least two-thirds of the volume of almonds grown by those voting in the referendum.

The proposed rule and referendum order for this action was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 8, 2026.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will mail ballots and voting instructions to all growers of record in California. To be eligible to vote, a grower must have produced almonds in California from Aug. 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. Eligible growers who have not received a ballot by Nov. 10, 2026, may request one by calling (559) 487-5901, emailing [email protected], or mailing the request to the West Region Branch, Market Development Division, Specialty Crops Program, AMS, USDA, 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102-B, Fresno, Calif. 93721-3129.

More information about the marketing order can be found on the AMS California Almonds webpage.

Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help fruit, vegetable and specialty crop producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight of each fruit, vegetable and specialty crop marketing order and agreement to ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

USDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Provider and Lender.