FSA taking nominations for county committee elections

From FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that people now can nominate people to run in the election for local Farm Service Agency county committees.

“Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice. Their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs,” FSA Administrator Val Dolcini said. “I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers across the spectrum of American agriculture, to get involved in this year’s elections. We have seen an increase in the number of qualified nominees, especially among women and minorities, and I hope that trend continues.”

The position is fairly unique in federal agencies in that the local committee members actively make decisions on the administration of FSA programs.

The duties include providing input on and helping administer programs including commodity price support loans and payments; conservation programs; incentive, indemnity and disaster payments for some commodities; emergency programs; and setting rates and yields for the local areas.

A person who participates or cooperates in a program administered by FSA is eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where the position is up for election is eligible for candidacy in the election.

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 complete a nomination form.

The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2016.