REPRODUCE LOCALLY. Include form number on all reproductions. OMB NO. 0581-0178

SC-179 (Rev. 5/2017) Destroy previous editions.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE

SPECIALTY CROPS PROGRAM

COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION BALLOT

ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF MARKETING ORDER NO. 981, REGULATING 

THE HANDLING OF ALMONDS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA

I certify that I am an officer or employee of, and have been authorized by, _________________________

Cooperative Association, located at ___________________________________________________, to 

furnish the following information and cast this Ballot on behalf of such Cooperative Association. There 

are ______ producers who: (a) are members of, stockholders in, or under contract with this Cooperative

Association; (b) are now engaged in the growing of almonds in California, and also were so engaged 

during the period of July 1, 20___ through March 31, 20___; and (c) during this same period so produced 

for market _______________ pounds (kernel weight) of almonds.

DOES THE COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION FAVOR ISSUANCE BY THE SECRETARY OF 

AGRICULTURE OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE MARKETING ORDER 

REGULATING THE HANDLING OF ALMONDS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA? (Please indicate 

your vote by placing an “X” in one of the boxes below.)

□ YES □ NO

Name of Cooperative Association

Corporate Seal 

(if none, so state)

Signature of Authorized Agent

Title

BALLOTS POSTMARKED LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON ______________________, 20___ 

CANNOT BE COUNTED.

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. 

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.