WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots to eligible farmers and ranchers for the 2016 Farm Service Agency county committee elections on Monday, Nov. 7, according to FSA Administrator Val Dolcini.

Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by Dec. 5 to ensure their vote is counted.

“Producers elected to FSA county committees play a vital role in local agricultural decisions,” said Dolcini. “Their contributions are essential to the daily operation of nearly 2,200 offices across the country. It is a valued partnership that helps us better understand the needs of the farmers and ranchers we serve.”

Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election.

Ballots include the names of candidates running for the local committee election. FSA has modified the ballot, making it easily identifiable and less likely to be overlooked. Voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week can pick one up at their local FSA offices. Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2017.

FMI: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections, offices.usda.gov.