FSA county committee nominations end Aug. 1

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Pierce County farmer candidate nominations began June 15 for the Pierce Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees.

The nomination period continues through Friday, Aug. 1. The towns encompassed in the 2008 election process are: Clifton, Gilman, Martell, River Falls and Spring Lake. Elections take place this fall.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the Aug. 1 deadline,” said Linda Paul, CED. “We are counting on as much participation as possible because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person 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 (the aforementioned towns) in which the person is a candidate.

Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov, click on News and Events, then County Committee Elections. Nomination forms for the 2008 election must be postmarked or received in the Pierce County USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

FSA county committee members make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other important agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers.

FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning Monday, Nov. 3. The voted ballots are due back to the Pierce County Office either via mail or in person by Monday, Dec. 1.

Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2009.

Tags: community, pierce, farm, service, candidate, nominations