Producers can expect to see new 2013 County Committee Election ballots in their mailboxes this month.
Due to a printing error on the original ballots mailed in November, new ballots will be sent to eligible producers beginning Dec. 20. The deadline to return ballots has been extended to Jan. 17, 2014.
Producers who may have completed and returned the original ballot, mailed Nov. 4 must vote again and resubmit the new ballot. Any original ballots already submitted by producers to county offices will remain unopened and will be destroyed to ensure the secrecy of their vote.
Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees all help to deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs, conservation programs, and indemnity and disaster programs. FSA county committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
“With better participation in recent years, we also have seen increases in the number of women and minority candidates, which better represents the diversity of American agriculture,” said Administrator Juan M. Garcia.
To be an eligible voter, producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote.
Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the coming week can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center.
All ballots must be returned to a USDA Service Center or postmarked by Jan. 17, 2014.
