Farmers and farm owners in Local Administrative Area (LAA) #3 which encompasses the following townships in Butler County — Cranberry, Jackson, Adams, Forward, Middlesex, Penn, Clinton, Jefferson, Buffalo, and Winfield — are being reminded to return their ballot for the county committee election by Dec. 3. Anyone who did not receive a ballot and resides in the area should contact the Farm Service Agency office and request a replacement ballot.

The FSA county committee system is unique among government agencies, because it allows producers to make important decisions concerning the local administration of federal farm programs. All eligible farmers and ranchers, especially minorities and women, are urged to get involved and make a real difference in their communities by voting in this year’s election.

Committee members apply their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on disaster and conservation payments, commodity price support loans and payments; establishment of allotments and yields, producer appeals, employing FSA county executive directors and other local issues. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.

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

Candidates listed on the ballot are:

• Jeffrey Kennedy — Our farm is located in Penn Township, Butler County. My family and I milk 60 head of Brown Swiss and Holstein cows along with raising our own replacements. I no-till farm 110 acres of corn, 16 acres of soybeans and 90 acres of hay in Penn and Middlesex Townships. Janice and I have two sons that help out when available. I am a member of the National Brown Swiss Association and am on the board of directors for the Western PA Tractor & Truck Pullers Association. I currently serve as the county committee vice chairman and am the adviser of Knoch FFA.

• Lorraine Thiele — Our farm is located in Jefferson Township, Butler County. My husband Edward and I, along with our two boys, live on a dairy farm. We milk 40 Holstein cows and also farm 250 acres. We grow corn, soybeans, oats, and alfalfa. Our farm has been in the family since 1868, and our boys are the sixth generation to work the land.

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