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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) parish, county and borough committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country.

Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. Producers and landowners must return ballots to their local FSA parish office or have their ballots be postmarked by Dec. 5, 2022, in order for those ballots to be counted.

“(Parish) committees provide an opportunity for producers to play a meaningful role in delivering farm programs, but in order for committees to be effective, they must truly represent all who are producing,” said Ronald Guidry, Jr., state executive director for FSA in Louisiana. “Voting in these elections is your opportunity to help ensure our (parish) committees in Louisiana reflect the diversity of our agriculture. Your voice and vote matter, don’t miss your chance to cast your ballot.”

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the parish committee election. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits. Additionally, producers who are not of legal voting age but supervise and conduct farming operations for an entire farm are eligible to vote in these elections.

Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms, and at least one seat representing an LAA is up for election each year. Ballots must in the mail or delivered in person by the close of business Dec. 5, 2022, to be counted. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2023.

Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA parish office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA parish office.

Visit www.farmers.gov/service-locator to find your local USDA Service Center and www.fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.