As pear growers in Washington and Oregon head into harvest, they continue to show strong support for their marketing order program. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the results of the spring referendum to continue the pear marketing program, which garnered support from 99 percent of fresh pear growers and 99 percent of processed pear growers. That support represents 97 percent and 98 percent of the production volume, respectively. 

Under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act, two-thirds of producers or producers representing two-thirds of the production volume must vote in support of the order every five years. 

The pear marketing order went into effect in 1939. It authorizes the industry to set quality standards and establishes the Fresh Pear Committee and Processed Pear Committee, which conduct production and marketing research and invest in promotions under USDA oversight. 

—by Kate Prengaman