Farm Service Agency Seeks Nominations for County Committees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins June 15.

County committees are made up of farmers and ranchers elected by other producers in their communities to guide the delivery of farm programs at the local level. Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of FSA. Committees consist of three to 11 members and meet once a month or as needed to make important decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency-administered program, and reside in the local administrative area where the election is being held.

After the nomination period, candidates will encourage the eligible producers in their local administrative area to vote. FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 6. Ballots will be due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 4. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2018.

For a nomination form and more information go to fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nomination forms for the 2017 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2017.