 "The role and input of our county committee members is more
vital than ever," said Garcia. "New county committee members
provide input and make important decisions on the local
administration of disaster and conservation programs. With
better participation in recent years, we also have seen
promising increases in the number of women and minority
candidates."Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the
coming week can obtain ballots from their local USDA Service
Center. Dec. 3 is the last day for voters to submit ballots in
person to their local center. Ballots returned by mail must also
be postmarked no later than Dec. 3. Newly elected committee
members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1.
To be an eligible voter in a county committee election, a
farmer or rancher must participate or cooperate in an FSA
program. A person who is not of legal voting age but supervises
and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm also may
be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county
submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period,
which ended Aug. 1.
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While FSA county committees do not approve or deny farm operating
loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs,
emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, and other
agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide,
about 7,700 farmers and ranchers are serving on FSA county
committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members elected by
eligible producers.
More information on county committees, such as the new 2012 fact
sheet and brochures, is available on the FSA website at
www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or at a local USDA Service Center.
[Text from file received from
Illinois Farm Service Agency]
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