Custer County farmers and ranchers reminded to vote in County Committee election

Custer County FSA Nov. 25, 2020

BROKEN BOW - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mailed 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 Custer County FSA office or postmarked by December 7.

“FSA county committee members provide valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and safety-net programs,” Jennifer Friehe, Acting County Executive Director for Custer County, said. “Please take a few minutes to review your ballot and make your selection prior to the Dec. 7 deadline.”

The Custer County Committee has three elected members, each who serves a three-year term of office. at least one seat is up for election each year for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA). Newly elected committee members will take office January 1, 2021. 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 nominees up for election in LAA 1 in Custer County are Charlotte (Char) Carlson and Lana M. Anderson-Phelps.

Charlotte (Char) Carlson is nominated to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Carlson resides in in LAA #1, north of Gothenburg and has produced corn and Soybeans for the past 40+ years. Char was a full time Pioneer Seed Rep for 17 years, has served on the Custer County Extension Board, and has duties within her church. She has served as a Custer County COC member for the past 2 terms and looks forward to continuing to advocate for producers and neighbors.

Lana M. Anderson-Phelps has also been nominated to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Phelps resides in LAA#1, southwest of Callaway. She farms and ranches with her husband and family as well as operates her own herd of cows. Lana has been in Agriculture her entire life. Lana is active with Beef and Horse 4-H with her family. Lana has served as a 4-H Leader in past years. Lana M Anderson-Phelps is willing to serve if elected

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 (s) but may not have applied or received FSA program benefits. Also, producers who supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, but are not of legal voting age, may be 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 did not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from their local FSA county office. Visit fsa. usda.gov/ elections for more information.