Ballots for the county committee election were mailed out recently for Local Administrative Areas (LAA) 1 and 5. Voters have until Dec. 5 to return their ballots to the county office.

FSA County Committee members make important decisions on how federal farm programs fit the needs of Pennsylvania producers. FSA County Committees make decisions on commodity price support loans and payments; establishment of allotments and yields; conservation programs; incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for some commodities; and other farm disaster assistance.

The FSA County Committee system, established in the 1930s, gives local farmers a much-needed say in how farm programs are administered at the grass-roots level. It is vital that all eligible farmers vote in this year’s election to ensure that these committees represent the interests of all producers in the community.

If you are on the Farm Service Agency mailing list, you are probably an eligible voter. Anyone who meets the requirements in 1 or 2, plus 3, below is eligible to vote:

1. Be of legal voting age and have an interest in a farm or ranch as either of the following:

a. An owner, operator, tenant or sharecropper, or

b. A partner in a general partnership or member of a joint venture that has an interest in a farm as an owner, operator, tenant or sharecropper; or

2. Not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations on an entire farm; and

3. Eligible to participate in any FSA program that is provided by law, regardless of the status of funding.

The two nominees for election in LAA-1 (northern section of Butler County) are:

• H. George Hartzell — I along with my brother own and operate Hartzell Farm in Slippery Rock Township. We have a herd of Holstein cattle. My father and children along with one employee work on the dairy farm. Crops produced include corn, small grains and hay. I have been involved with the local Dairy Club, Ag Land Preservation and the Farm Bureau.

• Richard Stuchal — The home farm is located in Mercer Township. Currently we milk about 70 Holsteins in a free stall set up and crop farm just over 500 acres primarily in northern Butler County, as well as in southeast Mercer County and southern Venango County. We raise about 160 acres each of corn and soybeans and the balance of the farm ground is used for hay and pasture.

The three nominees for election in LAA-5 (southern section of Beaver County and all of Allegheny County) are:

• Thomas Mischen — Our farm is located in West Deer Township, Allegheny County. We raise beef cattle and retail them at our store, Mish Farms Meat Market. We own 80 acres and rent another 300 acres. I am a member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, PA Cattlemen’s Association, Simmental Association and Red Angus Association.

• John Scott — I own and operate a farm in North Fayette Township, Allegheny County. My family and I assist my son, William, in the dairy operation. We farm 325 acres and milk 80 cows. I have previously served on the FSA County Committee and am active in the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

• Virginia Strouss — The Strouss farm is located in Findlay Township, Allegheny County. Previously a dairy farm, we now have some beef cattle and horses. On the farm we produce corn, oats, speltz, straw and hay.

Voters are reminded to sign the label on the inside flap of the return envelope for the submission to be considered a valid ballot. These labels are removed before opening of the ballots to ensure a private vote.

Commodity loans

The current interest rate for nine-month commodity loans disbursed in November is 1.125 percent. Eligible commodities are corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and barley.

Commodity loans provide one option for producers to consider when obtaining operating capital for crop inputs. Commodity loans are simple to process and are normally completed within five working days of the request.

These loans are popular because they: provide capital, provide better opportunity for timely grain marketing and capitalize on discounts for inputs offered in the winter. The use is particular to each farm.

Contact the office at 724-482-4800 for more information.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.