WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting nominations for county committee members on Monday, June 15. Elections will occur in Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2020 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1.

“I encourage America’s farmers, ranchers and forest stewards to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their county committee,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “There’s an increasing need for diverse representation, including underserved producers, which includes beginning, women and minority farmers and ranchers.”

Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others, and organizations, including those representing beginning, women and minority producers, also may nominate candidates.

Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.

Nationwide, more than 7,700 serve on FSA county committees, made of three to 11 members who typically meet once a month. Members serve three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency.

Producers should contact their local FSA office to find out how to get involved in the election. An FSA-669A nomination form and other information about elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 2.


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