UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The election of agricultural interest trustees for the Penn State Board of Trustees is being temporarily deferred due to the coronavirus, the University announced today (April 15).
Unlike the election of alumni trustees, which is conducted in a separate process electronically, the voting for agricultural interest trustees involves in-person caucusing and voting. Certified agricultural organizations in each county across the state convene to elect three delegates who, in turn, vote for the agricultural interest trustees.
With Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s current stay-at-home order, counties are not able to caucus for delegates.
Six individuals are elected by delegates from agricultural interests to serve on the Board of Trustees. Three candidates are vying for two positions on the board this year.
Under the board’s bylaws, the current agricultural interest trustees will continue to serve until their successors are appointed or elected. One exception is agricultural trustee Keith Masser, who will have served the maximum permitted 12 years as of June 30. If a successor has not been elected before then, Masser’s seat will remain vacant until a successor is elected.
Information on the candidates for the agricultural interest trustees can be found here.