EIGHT- Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 11, 2015
FSA county committee elections
to begin; producers to receive
ballots this week
WA S H I N G T O N ,
DC—Farm Service Agency
(FSA) Administrator Val
Dolcini today announced
that the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) began
mailing ballots to eligible
farmers and ranchers across
the country for the 2015
FSA County Committee
elections on Monday. Pro-
ducers must return ballots
to their local FSA ofices by
Dec. 7 to ensure that their
vote is counted.
“County committee
members represent the
farmers and ranchers in
their communities,” said
Dolcini. “Producers elected
to these committees have
always played a vital role
in local agricultural deci-
sions. They are essential
to the daily operation of
nearly 2,200 ofices across
the country. It is a valued
partnership that helps us
better understand the needs
of the farmers and ranchers
we serve.”
Nearly 7,700 FSA
County Committee mem-
bers serve FSA ofices na-
tionwide. Each commit-
tee has three to 11 elected
members who serve three-
year terms of ofice. One-
third of county committee
seats are up for election
each year. County commit-
tee members apply their
knowledge and judgment
to help FSA make important
decisions on its commodity
support programs; conser-
vation programs; indem-
nity and disaster programs;
emergency programs and
eligibility.
Producers must partici-
pate or cooperate in an FSA
program to be eligible to
vote in the county commit-
tee election. Approximately
1.9 million producers are
currently eligible to vote.
Farmers and ranchers who
supervise and conduct the
farming operations of an
entire farm, but are not of
legal voting age, also may
be eligible to vote.
Farmers and ranchers
will begin receiving their
ballots this week. Ballots
include the names of can-
didates running for the
local committee election.
FSA has modiied the bal-
lot, making it more easily
identiiable and less likely
to be overlooked. Voters
who do not receive ballots
in the coming week can
pick one up at their local
FSA ofice. Ballots returned
by mail must be postmarked
no later than Dec. 7. Newly
elected committee members
and their alternates will take
ofice Jan. 1, 2016.
For more information,
visit the FSA website at
www.fsa.usda.gov/elec-
tions or contact your local
USDA Service Center or
FSA ofice.
Rep. Smith speaks to junior high
citizenship class
Oregon Rep. Greg Smith speaks to a junior high citizenship class in Heppner Monday. The
class is a nine-week elective course for eighth graders with the focus on being a good citizen.
“We will eventually talk about our civic duty and being contributing members of society. We
are also trying to incorporate some information on understanding local government and state
government,” said teacher Petra Payne. Smith is an eight-term member of the Oregon House
of Representative, serving District 57, representing Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman and
portions of Wasco counties. -Photo by David Sykes
GOOD LUCK MUSTANGS!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH
VS. REEDSPORT BRAVES
MORROW COUNTY FAIR
GROUNDS @ 1:00 PM
Back Row (l-r): Kaden Clark, CJ Kindle, Logan Grieb, Weston Putman, Kevin Murray, Wyatt Steagall, Patrick Collins, Kevin Smith,
Derek Howard, Dakota Howard, Saul Erikson, Tre Cimmiyotti, Beau Wolters. Middle Row: Mike Ehrsam, Coach Greg Grant, Jake
Lindsay, Leo Waite, Ethan Akers, Cason Mitchell, Tim Jaca, Kolby Currin, Zavier Glover, Jacob Wallace, Les Payne, Asst. Coach
Kevin Payne, Asst. Coach Jeremy Rosenbalm. Front Row: Jimmy Fichter, Kaden Corbin, Carson Brosnan, Keegan Gibbs, Mads Melt-
ofe, Ryan Smith, Tommy Bredield, Colby Dougherty, Charles Cason, Payton Lehman, Hunter Nichols, Zach Bredield. Not pictured:
Caden Hedman, Tristan Moses, Lane Wilhelm.
THESE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS CONGRATULATE
THE HEPPNER MUSTANGS AND WISH THEM GOOD LUCK!
Andy and Jessica Stelk
Bank of Eastern Oregon, Member FDIC
Bucknum’s
Cliff, Dawna, Taighler & Ryan Dougherty
Damon and Carrie Brosnan
David Sykes Real Estate
Dick and Nancy Snider
Eddie Gunderson
Greg & Sherri Smith & Family
Heppner Chamber
Heppner Gazette-Times
Jeremy & Tylynn Cimmiyotti and Family
Jim and Becky Kindle
Jimmy Fichter
Ken, Carri, Paige, Logan and Claire
Grieb
Les Schwab Tire Center
Mark Pointer and family
Millar and Sons Excavating and
Disposal Service
Morrow County Grain Growers
Murray’s Drug
Osmin Century Welding,
Frank & Cara Osmin
Sandi Putman and family
Seth Moses Rooing
Steve, Lisanne & Jacee Currin
Stor-4-U
Sweeney Mortuary
Sykes Brothers Printing,
Chris Sykes - Andrew Sykes
Tim, Jeannie, Maggie and Roy Collins
The Mustang Diner
Wheatland Insurance Center,
Heppner and Ione
Willow Creek Terrace