USDA’s Farm Service Agency has extended the voting deadline for FSA county committee elections. State executive director for FSA in Iowa, John Whitaker, says the deadline to submit ballots for the 2016 county committee elections has been extended to ensure farmers have sufficient time to vote. With the extension, eligible voters have until Dec. 13, 2016 to return ballots to their local FSA office. Producers who haven’t received their ballot should pick one up at the FSA office.

Good reasons for farmers to vote in FSA county elections
“We’re extending the voting deadline to December 13 to give farmers a few additional days to get their ballots in,” says Whitaker. “I urge all eligible producers, especially minorities and women, to get involved and make a real difference in their communities by voting in this year’s elections. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in your county.”

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, 2016. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2017.

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, conservation, indemnity, disaster and emergency programs.

To be eligible to vote, you must participate in an FSA program
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Approximately 1.5 million producers are currently eligible to vote. 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.

For more information, visit the FSA website fsa.usda.gov/elections. You may also contact your local USDA service center or FSA office. Visit offices.usda.gov to find an FSA office near you.

FSA committee members help guide and oversee programs
FSA helps carryout and oversee a number of USDA programs. “USDA works to strengthen and support U.S. agriculture, an industry that supports one in 11 American jobs, provides consumers with more than 80% of the food we consume, ensures that Americans spend less of their paychecks at the grocery store than most people in other countries and supports markets for homegrown renewable energy and materials,” says Whitaker. “Since 2009, USDA has provided $5.6 billion in disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; expanded risk management tools with products like Whole Farm Revenue Protection; and helped farm businesses grow with $36 billion in farm credit.”

Whitaker also notes that USDA has engaged its resources to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,700 biobased products through USDA's Bio-Preferred program; and invested $64 billion in infrastructure and community facilities to help improve the quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit usda.gov/results.