For most people, the only election that matters is the one in November. But for farmers, there is an important vote this week which may serve as a referendum on the wrenching changes taking place in agriculture. The ballot question is a simple one: should hog producers continue to pay a mandatory fee to fund various pork promotion efforts, a fee known as a "checkoff". Behind this vote are issues which some say will determine the future of small, independent hog farms. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports: Southwest Minnesota farmer Paul Sobocinski says pork production has ben hi-jacked from its rightful place on the family farm by corporations, like the nation's largest hog producer Smithfield Foods, but also well known Minnesota companies such as Cargill and Land 'O Lakes. Besides raising hogs, Sobocinski also works for the Land Stewardship Project, which favors ending the checkoff fee. It's collected on every hog sold and raises about 45 million dollars a year. Most of the money goes to the National Pork Producers Council, a group Sobocinski says has lost its way: