The 2018 Farm Service Agency County Committee elections began on Nov. 5, when ballots were mailed to eligible voters. The deadline to return the ballots to the local FSA office is Dec. 3, 2018.
County committee members are an important component of the operations of FSA and provide a link between the agricultural community and USDA.
Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity price support programs; conservation programs; incentive indemnity and disaster programs for some commodities; emergency programs and eligibility. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.
To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers 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 in local administrative area # 3 (Montgomery), who do not receive a ballot can obtain one from their local USDA Service Center.
December 3, 2018, is the last day for voters to submit ballots in person to the local USDA Service Center, 75 Hampton Blvd. Christiansburg.
Ballots returned by mail must also be postmarked no later than Dec. 3, 2018.
Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2019.
The candidate in this year’s election, Oakley E. Altizer, is nominated in LAA #3 Montgomery County, to serve as a committee member.
Mr. Altizer resides in Riner, Virginia and produces alfalfa, mixed grass hay/pasture for his beef operation.
More information on county committees, such as the new 2018 fact sheet, can be found on the FSA website: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.
