Features Editor

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is looking for candidates for the farmer -elected county committee election to be held this fall.

"It is crucial that every eligible agricultural producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Virginia Payne, FSA executive director for Pike and Bullock counties. "The county committee system needs everyone to get involved – from voters to committee candidates. Almost anyone eligible to take part in a local FSA program may be a candidate for the committee."

Nomination forms can be obtained from FSA county offices. Completed nomination forms are due back to the FSA office by Oct. 29.

FSA will notify nominees and mail election ballots to eligible voters in mid-November. Completed ballots must be returned to FSA offices and postmarked by Dec. 3. Elected members and alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2002.

FSA county committees make decisions on commodity price support loans and payment, establishment of allotments, yields and marketing quotas, farmer loans, conservation programs and incentive, indemnity and disaster payments for some commodities, Payne said.

"The county committee is an important part of the service delivery of the USDA," Payne said."We would like to include more farmers in non-traditional operations and people whose livelihoods depend on farming.

"We’re also looking for small farmers, specialty crop farmers, truck farmers and spouses or business partners – anyone who would be able to add some new or different experiences to their local county committee."

For more information contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency office at 566-2301.