The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the nomination period for farmers and ranchers to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees began Wednesday, June 15, and runs through Aug. 1. The Champaign County Farm Service Agency Committee is open to nominations of interested producers from the Local Administrative Area (LAA) 2, including Concord, Mad River, Salem and Urbana townships.
“Through the county committees, farmers and ranchers have a voice. Their opinions and ideas get to be heard on federal farm programs,” said FSA Administrator Val Dolcini. “I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers across the spectrum of American agriculture to get involved in this year’s elections. We have seen an increase in the number of qualified nominees, especially among women and minorities, and I hope that trend continues.”
To be eligible to be on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an FSA-administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and live in the local administrative area in which he/she is nominated.
Producers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections, or pick one up at the Champaign County FSA office. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.
FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters in Champaign County LAA 2 beginning Nov. 7. Ballots must be returned to the local county office via mail or in person by Dec. 5. Newly-elected committee members and alternates will take office on Jan. 1, 2017.
The Champaign County Committee consists of three members, representing each of the LAA’s in the county. Members are elected by eligible producers and serve three-year terms.
To learn more about county committees, contact the Champaign County FSA office at 937-484-5527.
