SC-126 (984) Producer Referendum Continuance (CA Walnuts)

OMB No. 0581-0178

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

1. VOTING PERIOD: _________, 20__ - __________, 20__

2. ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE: Any producer now engaged in producing English walnuts in California for market and was so engaged during the representative period __________________, 20___, through _______________, 20___, is eligible to cast one vote. An authorized officer or employee of a corporate producer, or an administrator, executive, 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 English walnuts produced thereon;

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

3. HOW TO VOTE:

1. Indicate whether you favor or do not favor continuance of Marketing Order No. 984, regulating the handling of walnuts 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 reverse side.

3. Sign the certification statement on the reverse side. Unsigned ballots will not be counted.

4. Return your completed 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

Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

Fresno, CA 93721

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to 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 20 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.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE
SPECIALTY CROPS PROGRAM

OFFICAL PRODUCER’S BALLOT

ON CONTINUANCE OF MARKETING ORDER NO. 984

REGULATING THE HANDLING OF WALNUTS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA

INSTRUCTIONS: Please read the Voting Instructions and Eligibility Requirements on the reverse side, and then complete this ballot, including the Voter Certification and Eligibility Section below. Return your ballot in the envelope provided. Ballots must be signed and postmarked on or before _____________________, 20___.

This referendum is for the continuance of Marketing Order No. 984 (order) regulating the handling of walnuts 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 you 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 hereby certify that I am an eligible producer of English walnuts. I am currently producing English walnuts and during the period ________________, 20___, through _________, 20___, I produced ________________ ton(s), (inshell basis) of English walnuts 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 (e.g., a corporation, institution, school, or college); or by an administrator, executor, or trustee 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 the Secretary.

Entity Name __________________________________________________________________________________

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

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address _________________________________________________________________________________

Name ________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature_________________________________________ Title ______________________________________

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-126 (Rev. 1/2017) Destroy previous editions.