USDA encourages farmers to vote in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee election
USDA encourages farmers to vote in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee election. Beginning, November 7th, USDA mailed ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by December 5, 2016, to ensure their vote is counted.
Nearly 7700 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 judgement to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.
The candidates in this year’s election in Caldwell County are Michael Kleeman and Terry Wright, both nominated for the committee position in Local Administrative Area (LAA) #3. LAA #3 encompasses the townships of: Breckenridge, Fairview, Davis, and Lincoln.
Mike Kleeman has been actively farming since he graduated from college 26 years ago. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay and has a cattle operation. Mike is an active member of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board and is involved in the Braymer Adult Farmer organization.
Terry Wright has been actively farming for 40 years. He raises corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay and has a cattle operation. Terry is on the Braymer Consumer Oil & Supply Board and is a previous member of the County FSA Committee.
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 have already been sent to voters in LAA #3 and these ballots include the names of the above two candidates running for the local committee election. FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters in LAA #3 who have not received a ballot can pick one up at the FSA office in Kingston. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 5th. Newly elected committee members will take office January 1st. The ballots will be counted on December 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the Caldwell FSA Office.
For more information, visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or contact the Caldwell County FSA office at 586-586-2711.
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
