Farm Service Agency Board Elections Underway Nationwide

Monday began the voting period for Farm Service Agency Board members across the nation. Kevin Wooten, with the Farm Service Agency explains the process:

“The county committee system is unique to the Farm Service Agency in that elected county committees are farmer elected and they make decisions on farm programs at the local level. That means they have a direct impact on farmers and ranchers and program benefits in their local community.
The nomination period was earlier this year, from mid June through July.
 

Every eligible voter within the Local Administrative Area that is up for election, will receive a ballot by mail. They will mark their choice for the person they would like to represent their area for the next three years beginning in January 2013. They will need to return it by mail or in person to the county office by December 3.
 

This is a rotating board. We elect one Local Administrative Area every year for a three year term. With a maximum of nine years when they must rotate off for one term.
 

This committee is responsible for the local administration of farm programs. Every one of our programs has a county committee authority, meaning they decide how it is delivered to the local area. They are truly representing their local farmers. A large amount of the ballots are going out to land owners and active farmers that know what is going on in their local community. You are choosing someone to represent your interests.”

Again, that ballot has to be postmarked by December 3rd, or the ballot can be hand-delivered to your local Farm Service Agency