| Agricultural producers who participate or 
				cooperate in a USDA program, and reside in the LAA that is up 
				for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the 
				county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has 
				provided information about their farming or ranching operation 
				to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program 
				benefits. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and 
				qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA 
				encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers or 
				ranchers to nominate, vote, and hold office.
 Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the 
				agricultural community serving on FSA county committees. The 
				committees can be composed of three to 5 members who serve 
				three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees 
				play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency. 
				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.
 
 LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or 
				multi-county jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are 
				focused on an urban or suburban area.
 
 More Information
 
 Producers should contact their local FSA office today to 
				register and find out how to get involved in their county’s 
				election. They should check with their local USDA Service Center 
				to see if their LAA is up for election this year. To be 
				considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A 
				nomination form or an FSA-669-A-3 for urban county committees. 
				The form and other information about FSA county committee 
				elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.
 
 Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning 
				November 1, 2021. To find your local USDA Service Center, visit 
				farmers.gov/service-locator.
 
			[Illinois Farm Service Agency]   
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