The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the deadline to submit 2016 County Committee ballots has been extended to Dec. 13.
“FSA county committees are essential to the daily operation of nearly 2,200 offices from coast to coast,” USDA FSA Administrator Val Dolcini said in a statement. “It’s a valued partnership that helps us better understand the needs of the farmers and ranchers that we serve.”
About 1.5 million farmers are currently eligible to vote, according to USDA.
Whether a beginning or longtime farmer, historically disadvantaged or whether the operation is small or large, every eligible farmer should participate in the FSA County Committee elections. The FSA county committees are the farmers’ link with the USDA.
Ballots were mailed to eligible voters on Nov. 7 and the original deadline to return ballots was Dec. 5. The extension will ensure that eligible farmers have sufficient time to submit their votes.
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.
Farmers and ranchers who are elected to serve on FSA County Committees apply their judgment and knowledge to help with the decisions necessary to administer FSA programs in their counties, ensuring the needs of local producers are met.
FSA county committees operate within official federal regulations and provide local input on income safety-net loans and payments, conservation programs and incentive, indemnity disaster and emergency programs.
FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 13. Farmers and ranchers who have not received their ballot should pick one up at their local FSA office.
Newly elected County Committee members take office on Jan. 1, 2017.
Learn more about these elections by visiting your local USDA Service Center or online.