Monticello, AR, Nov. 15 2022 — 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 Drew County FSA office or postmarked by Dec. 5, 2022.
“FSA county committee members provide valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and safety-net programs,” said Lorri Sloate, Drew County Executive director for Drew County. “Please take a few minutes to review your ballot and make your selection prior to the Dec. 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 Jan. 1, 2023. Drew/Bradley/Calhoun 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(s) up for election in LAA 3, which includes Marion, Cominto, Bearhouse-Collins and Bartholomew Townships in Drew County is Leslie Justice.
Leslie Justice is nominated to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Mrs. Justice resides in Dermott, AR. She has been farming for over 32 years. She raises beef cattle and is currently producing soybeans, corn, wheat and watermelons. She is an active member of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association and the Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association. She is currently serving on the Drew/Bradley/Calhoun County Committee as the Vice-Chairman.
The nominee(s) up for election in LAA 5, which includes which serves Hermitage, Greenville, Pratttsville, Sumpter, Mt. Olive, Ingalls, Johnsonville Vick, Jersey, and Moro Bay Townships is Moses Williams.
Moses Williams has also been nominated to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Mr. Williams resides in Jersey, AR. He is a semi-retired farmer who has farmed for over 80 years. He has grown cotton, corn, tomatoes and other vegetables. He still grows some vegetables today. He is currently serving on the Drew/Bradley/Calhoun 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.
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