County Committee Ballots Should Be In The Mail
The FSA announced this week that the USDA has begun mailing ballots to eligible producers for the 2018 FSA county committee elections on Monday, November 5th Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 3rd to ensure their vote is counted. Nearly 7,700 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office. County committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs; conservation programs; indemnity and disaster programs; emergency programs and eligibility.
“County committee members represent the farmers, ranchers and foresters in our Washington communities,” said FSA Executive Drecotr Brian Dansel. “Producers elected to these committees have always played a vital role in local agricultural decisions. It is a valued partnership that helps us better understand the needs of the farmers and ranchers we serve.”
Dansel added producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Farmers and ranchers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, may also be eligible to vote.
Farmers and ranchers will begin receiving their ballots the week of Nov. 5. Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee election. Voters who did not receive a ballot can pick one up at their local FSA office. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 3, 2018. Newly elected committee members will take office January 1.
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