Farm Service Agency county committee nominations deadline Aug. 1

[July 27, 2011]  SPRINGFIELD -- The USDA Farm Service Agency state executive director, Scherrie Giamanco, reminds farmers, ranchers and landowners to nominate farmer and rancher candidates to serve on their local FSA county committee by the Aug. 1 deadline.

Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues.

"County committee members are a valuable asset because they are local producers who participated in FSA programs themselves and have a direct connection to farmers and ranchers in the community," Giamanco said. "I would like to see a high level of participation in this year's nomination and election process."

Producers may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations that represent minority and women farmers and ranchers may also nominate candidates. Nominees must participate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and more information about county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Giamanco said it's important that the county committee reflects the demographics and agricultural interests of the community these individuals represent.

"I strongly encourage all producers, including women, minority and beginning farmers and ranchers, to participate in the nomination and election process," she said.

County committees are comprised of three to five members elected by local producers. All newly elected county committee members and alternates will take office Jan. 2.

Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

Dates to remember:

• Aug. 1: Last day to file nomination forms at the local FSA office.

• Nov. 4: Ballots mailed to eligible voters.

• Dec. 5: Last day to return voted ballots to the local FSA office.

• Jan. 2: Elected committee members and alternates take office.

In addition to elected members, FSA county committees may also include advisers. Advisers are appointed to county committees in counties that have significant numbers of minority or women producers and lack such members on FSA county committees. Advisers play an important role by providing diverse viewpoints and by representing the interests of minorities and women in decisions made by county committees.

For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections/.

[Text from file received from Illinois Farm Service Agency]