BANGOR – Soybean producers will have the opportunity to request a referendum on the National Soybean Checkoff program through May 28.

The request for the referendum will be conducted at Farm Service Agency county offices. To participate, farmers must certify and provide documentation that shows they produced soybeans and paid an assessment on the soybeans during the period of Jan. 1, 2002, through Dec. 31, 2003.

“Only those producers who desire a referendum on the order need to participate,” said David Lavway, state executive director. “USDA will conduct a referendum if at least 10 percent of the nation’s soybean producers request a referendum, provided that no more than one-fifth of the requests come from one state.”

Producers may obtain a form to request a referendum from county FSA offices either in person or by sending a request by mail or facsimile. Forms may also be obtained from www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/re-soy.htm.

Mail-in requests must be postmarked by May 28 and received in the county FSA office by June 7.

The Secretary of Agriculture is required by law to conduct a request for referendum every five years after the initial referendum, which was conducted in 1994.