November 2024
In This Issue:
William K. Perry, STC Chairperson
For this month's STC spotlight, we are featuring William K. Perry who is currently serving on the Arizona State Committee as chairperson.
William a 4th generation farmer in Arizona. William's farming roots stem from his family owning a farm. He fondly remembers helping his father on the farm when he was a child, raking hay or cultivating cotton.
Fast forward years later he enjoyed it so much, that in 1974, he obtained his own farm. He remembers his first visit to the Farm Service Agency formerly named the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) where he obtained an acreage report.
William currently has 4,000 acres of land where he farms cotton, wheat and alfalfa. When asked what advice he would give someone that is considering running for the Committee Elections, he said to get involved in agricultural organizations and get to know your farming neighbors.
Want to participate in our COC Elections? Find out more at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
USDA is extending the application deadline for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024 to Dec.13, 2024. This extension gives organic dairy producers two additional weeks to apply for the program. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep.
Contact your local Service Center today, to find your nearest Service Center go to https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members are vital to how FSA administers disaster assistance, conservation, commodity and price support programs, advises county office employment and addresses other agricultural issues.
To hold office or vote in FSA county committee elections, there are specific provisions for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) citizens.
Watch this video to hear from agricultural producers, current and retired USDA staff and tribal government officials about the importance of tribal participation in FSA county committee elections.
Voting
Since the 1990s, every member of an American Indian tribe is considered an agricultural landowner if the land on which the tribal member’s voting eligibility is based is tribally owned or held in trust by the United States for the tribe, even if the individual does not personally produce an agricultural commodity on that land. Members of American Indian tribes holding agricultural land are eligible to vote in an FSA county committee election if the tribal member meets the age requirement of 18 years and older. Tribal agricultural landowner voting eligibility applies only to members of federally recognized Tribes.
How to Vote
Tribal agricultural landowners 18 years and older can contact their USDA Service Center to register to vote with FSA. After providing FSA with contact information, including a current mailing address, tribal landowners will be updated as an eligible voter in the FSA county committee election database.
Tribal Engagement
Additionally, FSA can collaborate directly with Tribal Nations to obtain names and addresses of tribal members 18 years and older to get tribal membership registered in the FSA election system. View FSA’s 2024 call for tribal nominations.
Additional Information
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the USDA Office of Communications collaborated with the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council in Montana to highlight FSA opportunities for federally recognized tribal nations to expand USDA service, outreach and education in tribal communities nationwide.
The national outreach and education project includes aerial footage of the 1.5 million-acre Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana and video interviews with agricultural producers, current and retired USDA staff and tribal government officials. This is part one of a two-part video series – part two will be released later in the year.
For more information, including a USDA Tribal Agricultural Landowner Voting Eligibility poster, visit your local USDA Service Centers, fsa.usda.gov/elections and farmers.gov/tribal.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has introduced new rules to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to get and use farm loans. These changes will help them make more money and invest in their farms. FSA is working to make these loan programs easier to access and use, especially for those who need it most.
Key updates include a new low-interest program for those struggling financially, flexible repayment options to help build savings, and reduced requirements for loan security. These changes are designed to make it easier for farmers to manage their finances and invest in their future.
The new rules were developed with feedback from farmers and are expected to improve the loan program's performance and benefit borrowers. See more: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/enhancing-program-access-and-delivery-for-farm-loans
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