Farm Service Agency committee nominations begin June 15

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the nomination period for Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins Sunday, June 15, 2014.

Committees make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues.

“I hope that every eligible farmer and rancher will participate in this year's county committee elections,” Vilsack said. “Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice; their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs.”

To be eligible to serve on a committee nominees must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area where they are nominated.

Vilsack said he hopes to see the number of women and minority candidates continue to increase. 

Nationally, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees, which consist of three to 11 members elected to three-year terms.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form . Forms for must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on August 1, 2014.

FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning November 3, 2014. Ballots are due to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 1, 2014. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office on January 1, 2015.

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