December 4, 2023 is the Last Day to Return Ballots
November 15, 2023 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started mailing 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 Angelina-Nacogdoches-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby County FSA office or postmarked by Dec. 4, 2023.
“FSA county committee members provide valuable knowledge and judgment as decisions are made about the services we provide, including disaster and safety-net programs,” said Lance Jacobs, county executive director for Angelina-Nacogdoches-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby County. “Please take a few minutes to review your ballot and make your selection prior to the Dec. 4 deadline.”
Each committee has from three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office, and at least one seat is up for election each year for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA). Newly elected committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2024. Angelina-Nacogdoches-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby committee members help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.
The following producers have been nominated and are running in the 2023 election:
Gerald “Bubba” Green is nominated in LAA 2, Nacogdoches County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Gerald “Bubba” Green resides in Nacogdoches and has produced a cattle and hay operation for many years.
Roy Mills is nominated in LAA 2, Nacogdoches County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Roy Mills resides in Nacogdoches and has produced a beef herd for many years. He is an active member of Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers CBO and serves as President.
Kyle Bridges is nominated in LAA 2, Nacogdoches County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Kyle Bridges resides in the Shady Grove community and has produced a cow calf operation for many years.
Marty French is nominated in LAA 2, Nacogdoches County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Marty French resides in the Melrose community and has produced a sustainable healthy and nutrient dense food source operation for many years. She is an active member of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance and the American Poultry Association.
Kenneth Smith is nominated in LAA 5, Angelina/Trinity Counties, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Kenneth Smith resides in the Nogalus community and has produced a purebred Shorthorn herd for many years.
Sandra Tucker is nominated in LAA 5, Angelina/Trinity Counties, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Sandra Tucker resides in Apple Springs and has produced goats and gardens for many years.
Richard Spring is nominated in LAA 5, Angelina/Trinity Counties, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Richard Spring resides in Apple Springs and has produced a cow calf operation for many years.
Lazaro “Larry” Acuna is nominated in LAA 8, Shelby County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Lazaro “Larry” Acuna resides in the Tenaha area and has produced a cow calf operation and poultry farm for many years.
Jimmey “Jim” McDonald is nominated in LAA 8, Shelby County, to serve as a committee member for a 3-year term. Jim McDonald resides in the Timpson area and has produced a cow calf operation and hay operation for many years.
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 to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Also, for county committee elections, producers who are not of legal voting age, but supervise and conduct the farming operations of an entire farm, are 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. Customers can locate their LAA through a new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Eligible voters who do not receive a ballot in the mail can request one from the Angelina-Nacogdoches-Trinity-San Augustine-Shelby County FSA office at 1122 N University Dr #144, Nacogdoches, TX 75961 or call (936) 564-58914 extension 2.
