FSA county committee elections on tap this year

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started mailing ballots for the Farm Service Agency county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country.
    To count, ballots must be returned to the Chase County FSA office or postmarked by Dec. 5.
    “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 CED Jennifer Friehe, county executive director for Chase County.  
    The Chase County committee has three 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.
    Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1.
    Committee members help FSA make decisions on commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.
    Nick Schilke is up for election in LAA 2, which includes townships Jamestown, Macedonia, Lamar, Valley and Bussell.
    Schilke is nominated to serve a three-year term. He resides in Imperial and has produced corn, edible beans, wheat, soybeans and alfalfa, and has a cow/calf herd/feedlot background for 25+ years.
    He currently serves the county committee as president.
    Producers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program to be eligible to vote in the county committee election.
    Producers can find out if their LAA is up for election and if they are eligible to vote by contacting the FSA county office. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from the FSA county office.
    Visit fsa.usda.gov/elections for more information.