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The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the
nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins
on Monday, June 15, 2015.
It is important for county committees to reflect America's diversity,
all eligible farmers and ranchers, including beginning farmers are encouraged
to get involved in this year's elections. FSA has seen an increase in the
number of nominations for qualified candidates, especially among women and
minorities – a trend the Agency would like to see continue.
To be eligible to serve on a FSA county committee, a person must
participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, be eligible to vote
in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area
where they are nominated.
Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others.
Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates.
To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination
form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are
available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2015 election must be postmarked or received
in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3, 2015.
FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov.
9, 2015. Ballots will be due back to the local county office either via mail or
in person by Dec. 7, 2015. Newly elected committee members and alternates will
take office on Jan. 1, 2016.
While FSA county committees do not approve or deny farm ownership
or operating loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs,
emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other
agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are
about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees
consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers.
Questions?
Please contact your local FSA Office.
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