Business : FSA Reminds Producers to Vote in County Committee Election

Vinton, Iowa, November 19, 2010 – – Calvin Rickels, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Benton County reminds eligible voters that the county committee elections are in progress. Ballots have been mailed and completed ballots must be returned by mail or delivered to the Benton FSA office by December 6, 2010.

“I strongly recommend that producers vote because the county committee members play a huge role in the Agency, especially at the county level,” said Rickels. “County committee members make decisions on how federal farm programs will be administered locally,” he said

Voters in Local Administrative Area #3 representing Eldorado, Florence, Kane, Leroy, Iowa, St. Clair, and Union Townships received ballets for this year’s election. County committee members are elected to office by their peers and serve as the representative voice for agriculture producers in the county, and they are responsible for communicating with USDA to ensure that national programs are adapted to fit local needs. County committees are responsible for making decisions on issues including commodity loans and payments, conservation programs, disaster assistance programs and emergency programs.

Rickels encourages minority and female producers to serve as county committee members in the future. It is important that the county committee is comprised of members who reflect the demographics of the local agriculture community.

Farmers who participate in FSA programs are eligible to vote. If eligible voters do not receive a ballot by mail, one will be provided by the Benton County FSA Office. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than December 6, 2010. New county committee members will assume their role and related responsibilities on January 1, 2011.

For more information on the election, please contact the Benton County FSA office or the website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.