Local farmers can be involved in FSA county committee

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting nominations for county committee members on June 15.
    All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 2.
    “We need enthusiastic, diverse leaders to serve other agricultural producers locally on FSA County Committees,” said Tim Divis, Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Nebraska.  
    Divis said ag producers who participate in a USDA program, and reside in the Local Administrative Area that is up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy.
    LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates.
    Nationwide, more than 7,700 members of the agricultural community serve on county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
    Producers serving on county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency, Divis said. 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.
    Producers should contact their local FSA office to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election.