USDA to Conduct Vote on Christmas Tree Research and Promotion Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it will conduct a referendum among eligible Christmas tree domestic producers and importers from Oct. 1 through Oct. 16, 2026, to decide whether to continue their research and promotion order.

This action follows the recent continuance referendum conducted May 22, through June 2, 2026, in which 49.83% of voters supported its continuation. However, the voting period included fewer business days than the standard timeframe, and the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) received numerous late ballots which, under a standard voting window, may have been counted and potentially changed the outcome. Given these circumstances, AMS will conduct an additional referendum to determine the industry's support for continuation or termination.

AMS will conduct the referendum by express mail and electronic ballot. AMS staff will express mail ballots and voting instructions, including how to vote electronically, to all known eligible domestic producers and importers before the voting period. Completed mail ballots must be postmarked by Oct. 16, 2026, to be counted. Completed electronic ballots must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 16, 2026, to be counted. Any eligible domestic producer or importer who does not receive a ballot by Oct. 8, 2026, should contact Marketing Specialist George Webster at (202) 365-4172 or (202) 720-8085 or [email protected].

The notice was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 3, 2026. More information about the research and promotion program is available on the Real Christmas Tree Board website.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 21 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.