The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 FSA County Committee elections on Monday, Nov. 6. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 4 to ensure that 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. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. 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.

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, also may be eligible to vote.

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 December 4. Newly elected committee members will take office January 1, 2018.

For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections, or contact the local USDA Service Center or FSA office. Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find the nearest FSA office.