Farmers and landowners have until Dec. 2 to return their ballots for  Farm Service Agency county committee elections.

The committees make some decisions about how farm programs operate in local areas. Producers must participate in the programs to be able to vote for committee members.

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Each committee has three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.

“Voting in the county committee elections ensures that the voices of local farmers and ranchers are heard in shaping policies that directly impact their livelihoods,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said in a press release.