Purdue News

April 9, 1999 Mint producers continue commodity program WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Indiana mint producers voted 30 to 7 to continue the Mint Market Development Council. The referendum, held by the Purdue University Office of Agricultural Research Programs, reauthorized the industry-supported commodity program that began in 1987. The Indiana Mint Market Development Council is a group of mint producers elected by their peers in the state. The council supports research in the industry and works to enhance markets for mint oil through promotions and consumer and producer education programs. The program is funded by a checkoff of 4 cents per pound, collected at the point of first sale. Hoosier growers raised 11.3 percent of the nation's peppermint in 1998, ranking fourth among the states. Spearmint production was 3.7 percent of the total, putting the state in fifth place. CONTACT: John Trott, assistant to the director of Agricultural Research Programs, (765) 494-8370; jot@aes.purdue.edu Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; home (765) 497-2433; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page