DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION DIVISION  
ACCREDITATION AND REGULATION OF ASSOCIATIONS  
(By authority conferred on the agricultural marketing and bargaining board by section 3  
of Act No. 344 of the Public Acts of 1972, being S290.703 of the Michigan Compiled  
Laws)  
R 290.101 Definition of perishable fruits and vegetables.  
Rule 1. Perishable fruits and vegetables for which an association may seek  
accreditation are agricultural commodities  
that  
are  
readily susceptible to  
deterioration and decay or which may be protected by refrigeration, icing,  
ventilation, or protected from the cold, and that  
could be produced in commercial quantities in this state. These include, but are not  
limited to, apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, nectarines,  
strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, asparagus, snap beans,  
lima beans, cabbage, peas, cantaloupes, watermelons, carrots, cauliflower, celery,  
sweet corn, potatoes, lettuce, onions, peppers, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes,  
broccoli, brussels sprouts, eggplant, spinach, beets, rhubarb, watercress, parsnips, and  
turnips.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 290.102 Marketing period of agricultural commodities.  
Rule 2. The determination of the marketing period shall be stated in the agricultural  
marketing and bargaining board's preliminary declaration of accreditation of an  
association and, although it may subsequently be changed by the board in view of  
the evidence than an alternative period would be more appropriate, it will generally  
be determined as follows:  
(a) The first day of the marketing period of an agricultural commodity that is  
delivered for sale shall be the earliest date in the previous 5 years when the  
commodity was first delivered by a producer in the bargaining unit to a handler.  
The last day of the period shall be the latest date of the preceding 5 years when  
the last delivery of the commodity by a producer in the bargaining unit was made.  
(b) The first day of the marketing period of an agricultural commodity, produced and  
marketed under contract for future delivery of substantially all of a crop or periodic  
production of the commodity, shall be a date 150 days prior to the earliest date in the  
preceding 5 years when the commodity was first delivered by a producer in the  
bargaining unit to a handler. The last day of the period shall be the latest date in  
the preceding 5 years when the last delivery of the commodity by a producer in the  
bargaining unit was made.  
Page 1  
Courtesy of www.michigan.gov/orr  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 290.103 Determination of minimum value at first point of sale.  
Rule 3. The minimum value at first point of sale for an agricultural commodity that  
a person must have produced to be a producer of a commodity and included in a  
bargaining unit for the commodity shall be $1,250.00.However, the agricultural  
marketing and bargaining board may determine that the minimum value at first point  
of sale should be larger or smaller based upon the evidence at the board's hearing to  
determine whether a proposed bargaining unit for the commodity is appropriate.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 290.104 Application fee.  
Rule 4. An application fee for accreditation of an association is $175.00 for the  
administrative cost plus 25 cents for mailing and notification costs for each person  
who has previously produced sufficient quantity of the agricultural commodity to meet  
or exceed the minimum value at first point of sale as established by the board.  
Payment of the application fee, including the mailing and notification costs,  
must accompany all requests for accreditation.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 290.105 Annual reports of accredited associations.  
Rule 5. Each accredited association shall file an annual report with the agricultural  
marketing and bargaining board 60 days prior to the stated marketing period of the  
year of accreditation and each year thereafter. The report shall include:  
(a) The names and addresses of members of the marketing and bargaining committee  
of the association and evidence that they meet the criteria established for eligibility  
for such committees.  
(b) An accounting of expenses of the association in providing marketing  
services.  
(c) A copy of the most recent annual financial statement.  
(d) Fees to members and nonmembers.  
(e) Any changes in bylaws since the previous annual report.  
(f) Verification that all conditions specified under section 7 of Act No. 344 of the  
Public Acts of 1972 are met.  
History: 1979 AC.  
R 290.106 Marketing service fees.  
Rule 6. Marketing service fees for marketing and bargaining services provided  
producers in the bargaining unit shall be based solely upon the cost incurred by the  
association in providing the services. The fees shall not exceed 3% of the gross value of  
Page 2  
Courtesy of www.michigan.gov/orr  
the commodity at time of sale and shall not include costs of services to members  
that do not benefit nonmembers.  
History: 1979 AC.  
Page 3  
Courtesy of www.michigan.gov/orr  
;