The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on Monday, Nov. 6, to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee elections.
Farmers and ranchers must return ballots to their local FSA office by Dec. 4 to ensure their vote is counted.
“County committee members represent the farmers and ranchers in our Texas communities,” FSA Acting State Executive Director for Texas, Erasmo (Eddie) Trevino, announced that said. “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.”
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. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year.
County committee members apply their knowledge and judgement to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.
Trevino said farmers and ranchers 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, also may be eligible to vote.
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. 4.
Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.
For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
You may also contact your local USDA Service Center or FSA office. Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find an FSA office near you.