The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections.
“Our county committee members play a key role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “We value the local input of the over 7,000 members nationwide who provide their valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and emergency programs.”
To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Bladen County FSA county office or postmarked by December 2. The Bladen County FSA office is located at 450 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown across from the new Sheriff’s Office. The phone number is 910-862-3179.
Bladen County has three elected members who serve three-year terms of office. One-third of county committee seats are up for election each year. Newly elected committee members will take office January 1, 2020. County committee members help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election. Producers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, also may be eligible to vote.
Eligible voters who did not receive a ballot in the mail can pick one up at the Bladen County FSA office. Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.
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