FRANKFORT - Agriculture Commiss-ioner Richie Farmer reminds eligible voters that the deadline for returning ballots to local Farm Service Agency offices for county FSA committee elections is Dec. 4.

“County committees make decisions about how federal farm programs are administered on the local level,” Commissioner Farmer said. “They address questions on disaster and conservation payments, hear producer appeals, hire county FSA executive directors and consider other local issues. I urge all eligible voters to take part in this election.”

Farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in FSA programs to be eligible to vote. A person who is not of legal voting age but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm also can vote.

Eligible voters may obtain ballots at their local USDA service center. Voters may submit ballots in person through Dec. 4. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 4. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office Jan. 1.

For more information about FSA county committees and programs, go to www.fsa.usda.gov.