The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started mailing ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the San Saba-Mills County FSA office or postmarked by December 5, 2022.
“FSAcounty committee members provide valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and safety-net programs,” said Arianna Cavitt, County Executive Director for San Saba-Mills County. “Please take a few minutes to review your ballot and make your selection prior to the December 5 deadline.”
Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office, and at least one seat is up for election each year for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA). Newly elected committee members will take office January 1, 2022. San Saba-Mills County committee members help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, and emergency programs and eligibility.
The nominee up for election in LAA #2, which includes Spring Creek, Fairview, Hicks Crossing, Chappel, and High Valley in San Saba County is Jimmy Shook. Shook is nominated to serve as a committee member for a threeyear term. Shook resides in San Saba and has produced cattle and wheat for over 50 years. He is an active member of the FSA County Committee and serves as Chairperson.
The nominee up for election in LAA #4, which includes Buffalo, Bozar, Mullin, Blanket Springs, Democrat, Priddy, and Caradan in Mills County is Randall James. James is nominated to serve as a committee member for a three-year term. James resides in Democrat and has produced cattle and grass hay since 1985. He is an active member of the FSA County Committee.
The nominee up for election in LAA #5, which includes Goldthwaite, Center City, Star, Pleasant Grove, Castor, and Scallorn in Mills County is Rocky Welch. Welch is nominated to serve as a committee member for a three-year term. Welch resides in Center City and has produced cattle, wheat, and hay his entire life. He is an active member of the FSA County Committee.
Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county 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. Also, for county committee elections, producers who are not of legal voting age, but supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, are eligible to vote.
Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting their local FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. Visit <fsa.usda.gov/elections> for more information.