SC-178 (981) Producer Referendum Ballot (CA Almonds)

REPRODUCE LOCALLY. Include form number and date on all reproductions. OMB No. 0581-0178

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

SPECIALTY CROPS PROGRAM

OFFICIAL PRODUCER’S BALLOT

ON CONTINUANCE OF MARKETING ORDER NO. 981, AS AMENDED

REGULATING THE HANDLING OF ALMONDS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA

INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the enclosed Voting Instructions and Eligibility Requirements, and then complete this Ballot, including the Voter Certification and Eligibility section below. Return your Ballot in the envelope provided. Your Ballot must be signed and postmarked by __________________________, 20___ to be valid.

This referendum is for continuance of Marketing Order number 981 (Order), as amended, regulating the handling of almonds grown in California. The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) will consider termination of the Order if less than two thirds of those voting and less than two thirds of the volume represented in the referendum favor continuance. Indicate your vote by placing an “X” in the appropriate box.

□ I FAVOR continuance of the Order □ I DO NOT FAVOR continuance of the Order

VOTER CERTIFICATION AND ELIGIBILITY

I certify that I am an eligible producer of almonds. I am currently producing almonds, and during the period from August 1, 20___ through July 31, 20___, I produced ____________ pounds (kernel weight) of almonds on ___________ acres in ____________________________________ county(ies). Note: if you are farming on a share-crop basis, show only that part of the crop representing your share.

Name _________________________________________

Signature ______________________________________ Title ____________________________

If a partnership, give name(s) of partner(s)

If this Ballot is cast by an officer or employee on behalf of a producer (corporation or institution), or by a trustee, executor, or administrator of a producing estate, I certify that I have the authority to cast this Ballot, and will submit evidence of such authority at the request of an agent of the Secretary.

Entity Name ____________________________________

Type of Business Entity (corporation, partnership, etc.)

Address

E-mail Address

Name __________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________ Title ____________________________

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0581-0178. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. VOTING PERIOD: ___________________, 20___ through _____________________, 20___.

2. PERSONS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: Any producer who is currently engaged in the commercial production of almonds in California and was so engaged during the representative period from August 1, 20___ through July 31, 20___ (20___ crop year) is entitled to cast one vote. An authorized officer or employee of a corporate producer, or an administrator, executor, or trustee of a producing estate or any other business unit is eligible to cast one vote on behalf of such producing business entity.

“Producer” means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other business unit who:

1. owns and farms land, resulting in ownership of the almonds produced thereon;

2. rents and farms land, resulting in ownership of all or a portion of the almonds produced thereon; or

3. owns land from which he or she does not farm and, as rental for such land, obtains ownership of a portion of the almonds produced thereon.

3. HOW TO VOTE:

1. Indicate whether you favor or do not favor continuance of Marketing Order No. 981, regulating the handling of almonds grown in California, by placing an X in the appropriate box. Proxy voting is not authorized.

2. Certify your eligibility by completing the Voter Certification and Eligibility section on the other side of this ballot. Incomplete Ballots will not be counted.

3. Sign the certification statement on the other side of this ballot. Unsigned Ballots will not be counted.

4. Return your Ballot in the self-addressed envelope enclosed. No postage is necessary.

If you are eligible to vote for more than one entity and need additional Ballots, contact the California Marketing Field Office at (559) 487-5901.

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Marketing Service

Specialty Crops Program

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

Fresno, CA 93721

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

SC-178 (Rev. 01/2017) Destroy previous editions.