LEWISTON – Jane Harden, county executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties, has reminded farmers and other agricultural producers to vote in county committee elections by Monday, Dec. 3, the deadline for casting ballots.

“FSA county committees provide producers with the opportunity to help implement federal farm programs in their communities,” said Harden. “It is vital that all farmers, especially women and minorities, participate in the elections process to ensure the opinions expressed in committee meetings reflect an area’s agricultural sector.”

Producers must return ballots to their local offices by the close of business on Dec. 3. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1.

FSA county committees help administer federal farm programs at the local level. Committee members make decisions on conservation programs; commodity price support loans and payments; disaster assistance payments; and other agricultural issues.

Committees consist of three to five elected members who serve three-year terms. Committees may also have one or more female or minority advisors to further represent the local interests of women and minority farmers and ranchers. Each year, one-third of all committee members are elected across the country.

For more information about the elections, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections/Default.asp.