OXFORD – Laura Rand, executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Oxford County, has announced that the agency is extending the deadline to nominate eligible candidates to serve on the county committee to Aug. 15. The deadline was scheduled for Aug. 1.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.

Nomination and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters. The form (FSA-669A) is available at the Oxford County center and online at http;//www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/election.

Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 4. The deadline to return ballots is Dec. 5.

Elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2006. For more information about the FSA county committee, visit the local center or go online.