The Journal

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2017 Farm Service Agency County Committee elections on Nov. 6, according to FSA state director Jenny Peterson.

Producers must return postmarked ballots to their local FSA office by Dec. 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.

Voters who did not receive a ballot can pick one up at their local FSA office. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1.

For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find an FSA office near you.