FV-246 Producer and Alternate Member Ballot (Dist. 1, 2 & 3)

REPRODUCE LOCALLY. (Include form number and date on all reproductions.) OMB No. 0581-0215

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

BALLOT FOR ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

TO PISTACHIO PRODUCERS:

All Pistachio Producers recently had the opportunity to nominate eligible candidates for membership on the Administrative Committee for Pistachios for the staggered one or two-year term of office ending on June 30, 20 and June 30, 20 . Producers are now being requested to vote for the candidates of their choice. Attached are voting instructions, eligibility requirements, and a ballot with the nominees listed. Please read the attached directions carefully and submit your completed ballot in the envelope provided, postmarked by or hand deliver to the California Marketing Field Office in Fresno, California no later than .

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

Fruit and Vegetable Programs

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

Fresno, CA 93721

ADMINISTRATIVE

COMMITTEE FOR

PISTACHIOS

OFFICIAL BALLOT MATERIAL

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

FOR PISTACHIOS

PRODUCER MEMBERS AND ALTERNATE PRODUCER MEMBERS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ATTACHED BALLOT

1. Voting Period: through .

2. Refer to the ballots for all industry positions and districts for the current nomination and election process.

3. Voter Eligibility: Only Producers, including duly authorized officers or employees of Producers, shall participate in the election of Producer members and alternate Producer members of the Committee. No Producer shall participate in the election of Committee members in more than one district. If a Producer commercially produces pistachios during the current production year in more than one district, the Producer must vote in the same district in which he or she participated in the nominations process previously conducted. However, if the Producer did not participate in the nominations process, he or she may select in which district he or she wishes to vote and shall indicate it on the ballot. In certifying your eligibility, please be mindful of the following definitions: PRODUCER: means any person engaged within the production area in a proprietary capacity in the production of pistachios for sale. PROPRIETARY CAPACITY: Proprietary capacity means the capacity or interest of a producer or handler that, either directly or through one or more intermediaries, is a property owner together with all the appurtenant rights of an owner including the right to vote the interest in that capacity as an individual, a shareholder, member of a cooperative, partner, trustee or in any other capacity with respect to any other business unit. Also, please be mindful that not more than two members and not more than two alternate members shall be persons employed or affiliated with producers or handlers that are affiliated with the same handler and/or producer. Additionally, only one member and one alternate member in any one district representing producers shall be employed by or affiliated with the same handler and/or producer. AFFILIATION: normally appears as "affiliate of", or "affiliated with", and means a person such as a producer or handler who is: a producer or handler that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, owns or controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with the producer or handler specified; or a producer or handler that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is connected in a proprietary capacity, or shares the ownership or control of the specified producer or handler with one or more other producers or handlers. As used in this part, the term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by”, and “under the common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a handler or a producer, whether through voting securities, membership in a cooperative, by contract or otherwise.

4. The attached ballots list the nominees by district as well as the number of producer positions you are entitled to vote for. Vote for the candidate(s) of your choice in the appropriate space. If you would like to vote for a producer that has not been nominated, write in the candidate(s) name(s) of your choice in the appropriate space(s). The person receiving the highest number of votes shall be the member nominee for that district and the person receiving the second highest number of votes shall be the alternate member nominee. In case of a tie vote, the nominee shall be selected by a drawing.

5. In the spaces provided, print your name, the producer’s name (if different) address, and telephone number.

6. Certify that you are eligible to cast this ballot by signing and dating the ballot.

7. The completed ballot must be postmarked no later than 20___ to be valid. Submission of the ballot must be by mail delivery or hand delivery only.

8. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). We also ask that you be mindful of the USDA’s policy regarding Civil Rights and consider eligible women, minorities, and the physically challenged for membership on the Committee.

9. If you have any questions, please contact the California Marketing Field Office at 2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B, Fresno, California 93721; Telephone (559) 487-5901.

RETURN BALLOT TO:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

FRESNO, CA 93721

TELEPHONE #(559) 487-5901

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE FOR PISTACHIOS

MARKETING ORDER NO. 983

DISTRICT 1 PRODUCER MEMBER AND ALTERNATE MEMBER BALLOT

(See attached instructions)

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A PRODUCER IN DISTRICT 1 TO VOTE ON THIS BALLOT. IF YOU ARE A PRODUCER IN MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT, YOU MAY ONLY VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN ONLY ONE DISTRICT. PLEASE DISCARD THE OTHER BALLOTS.

PRODUCER NOMINEE LIST

DISTRICT 1 (SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA): DISTRICT 1 HAS 4 PRODUCER MEMBER POSITIONS AND 4 ALTERNATE PRODUCER MEMBER POSITIONS TO BE FILLED. CAST YOUR VOTE BY CHECKING THE BOX NEXT TO THE NOMINEE OF YOUR CHOICE OR SUBMIT A WRITE IN CANDIDATE. EACH PRODUCER IS ENTITLED TO CAST ONLY ONE VOTE FOR EACH POSITION TO BE FILLED. YOU MAY VOTE FOR 8 CANDIDATES (ONE FOR EACH POSITION).

LIST OF CANDIDATES:

(Producer Member) (Producer Member) (Producer Member) (Producer Member) (Producer Member)

(Producer Member) (Producer Member) (Producer Member) (Producer Member) Write in Candidate

SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED ON REVERSE OF BALLOT

Please indicate the following:

G Individual G Trust G Partnership G Corporation

Tax ID#

If partnership, list general partners

I certify that I or my employer currently produce pistachios for market in District (1, 2, 3) _ indicated above

and that I have only voted in the current election process in only one district. If I am casting a ballot on behalf of my

employer, I certify that I have such authority to do so.

(Producer’s Name - please print) (Address) (Telephone Number)

(Signature) (Print Name) (Date)

(Title - if voting on behalf of a corporation, estate, or trust)

To be valid, the completed ballot must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than:

(Date)

USDA-AMS-FV PROGRAMS

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93721

TEL: (559) 487-5901

Note: The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended. The authority for requesting the information to be supplied on this form is the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended, (7 U.S. C. 601-674). Furnishing the requested information is necessary for the administration of the marketing order program. Submission of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is mandatory, and will be used to validate ballots and determine affiliation or entity identity. Please note that ballots will not become invalid if a TIN is not disclosed.

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

0581-0215. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE FOR PISTACHIOS

MARKETING ORDER NO. 983

DISTRICT 2 PRODUCER MEMBER AND ALTERNATE MEMBER BALLOT

(See attached instructions)

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A PRODUCER IN DISTRICT 2 TO VOTE ON THIS BALLOT. IF YOU ARE A PRODUCER IN MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT, YOU MAY ONLY VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN ONLY ONE DISTRICT. PLEASE DISCARD THE OTHER BALLOTS.

PRODUCER NOMINEE LIST

DISTRICT 2 CAST YOUR VOTE BY CHECKING THE BOX NEXT TO THE NOMINEE OF YOUR CHOICE OR SUBMIT A WRITE IN CANDIDATE FOR EACH POSITION. EACH PRODUCER IS ENTITLED TO CAST ONLY ONE VOTE FOR EACH POSITION TO BE FILLED. DISTRICT 2 HAS 3 PRODUCER MEMBERS AND 3 ALTERNATE MEMBER POSITIONS TO BE FILLED. YOU MAY VOTE FOR 6 CANDIDATES.

LIST OF CANDIDATES:

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

(Producer Member)

Write in Candidate

SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED ON REVERSE OF BALLOT

Please indicate the following:

G Individual G Trust G Partnership G Corporation

Tax ID #

If partnership, list general partners

I certify that I or my employer currently produce pistachios for market in District (1, 2, 3) indicated above

and that I have only voted in the current election process in only one district. If I am casting a ballot on behalf of my

employer, I certify that I have such authority to do so.

(Producer’s Name - please print) (Address) (Telephone Number)

___ ________

(Signature) (Print Name) (Date)

(Title - if voting on behalf of a corporation, estate, or trust)

To be valid, the completed ballot must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than:

(Date)

USDA-AMS-FV PROGRAMS

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

Fresno, California 93721

TEL: (559) 487-5901

Note: The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended. The authority for requesting the information to be supplied on this form is the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended, (7 U.S. C. 601-674). Furnishing the requested information is necessary for the administration of the marketing order program. Submission of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is mandatory, and will be used to validate ballots and determine affiliation or entity identity. Please note that ballots will not become invalid if a TIN is not disclosed.

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 0581-0215. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAMS

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE FOR PISTACHIOS

MARKETING ORDER NO. 983

DISTRICT 3 PRODUCER MEMBER AND ALTERNATE MEMBER BALLOT

(See attached instructions)

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A PRODUCER IN DISTRICT 3 TO VOTE ON THIS BALLOT. IF YOU ARE A PRODUCER IN MORE THAN ONE DISTRICT, YOU MAY ONLY VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN ONLY ONE DISTRICT. PLEASE DISCARD THE OTHER BALLOTS.

PRODUCER NOMINEE LIST

DISTRICT 3 (NORTHERN CALIFORNIA): CAST YOUR VOTE BY CHECKING THE BOX NEXT TO THE NOMINEE OF YOUR CHOICE OR SUBMIT A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR EACH POSITION. EACH PRODUCER IS ENTITLED TO CAST ONLY ONE VOTE FOR EACH POSITION TO BE FILLED. DISTRICT 3 HAS 1 PRODUCER MEMBER AND 1 ALTERNATE MEMBER POSITION TO BE FILLED. YOU MAY VOTE FOR 2 CANDIDATES.

LIST OF CANDIDATES

_________________________________

(Producer Member)

_________________________________

(Producer Member)

_________________________________

(Producer Member)

Write-in Candidate

SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED ON REVERSE OF BALLOT

Please indicate the following:

G Individual G Trust G Partnership G Corporation

Tax ID #

If partnership, list general partners

I certify that I or my employer currently produce pistachios for market in District indicated above (1, 2, 3)

and that I have only voted in the current election process in only one district. If I am casting a ballot on behalf of

my employer, I certify that I have such authority to do so.

(Producer’s Name - please print) (Address) (Telephone Number)

(Signature) (Print Name) (Date)

Title - if voting on behalf of a corporation, estate, or trust)

To be valid, the completed ballot must be postmarked or hand delivered no later than:

(Date)

USDA-AMS-FV PROGRAMS

California Marketing Field Office

2202 Monterey Street, Suite 102B

Fresno, California 93721

TEL: (559) 487-5901

Note: The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (U.S.C. 552a) and the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as amended. The authority for requesting the information to be supplied on this form is the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, Secs. 1-19, 48 Stat. 31, as amended, (7 U.S. C. 601-674). Furnishing the requested information is necessary for the administration of the marketing order program. Submission of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is mandatory, and will be used to validate ballots and determine affiliation or entity identity. Please note that ballots will not become invalid if a TIN is not disclosed.

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 0581-0215. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 15 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.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

FV-246 (05/06) Page 9 of 8