The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots on Nov. 7 for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA county office or have their ballots be?postmarked by Dec.5 in order for those ballots to be counted.
"County committees provide an opportunity for producers to play a meaningful role in delivering federal farm programs at the local level," said Julia A. Wickard, state executive director for FSA in Indiana. "Your voice and vote matter, don't miss your chance to cast your ballot."
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming operation but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits. Additionally, producers who are not of legal voting age but supervise and conduct farming operations for an entire farm?are?eligible to vote in these elections.
Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms, and at least one seat representing an LAA is up for election each year. Ballots must in the mail or delivered in person by close of business Dec. 5 to be counted. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1.
Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office.
Categories: Indiana, Education