Source: USDA, 6/22/21 The U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting
nominations for county committee members on June 15. Elections will occur in
certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make important
decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All
nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local
FSA office by Aug. 2, 2021.“We need enthusiastic, diverse leaders to serve other agricultural producers locally on FSA County Committees,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Just as our nation’s agriculture industry is diverse from coast to coast, so are the viewpoints and experiences that you can represent on your local committee. Now’s your time to step up and truly make an impact on how federal programs are administered at the local level to reach all producers fairly and equitably.” 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 are made up of three to 11 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. Urban
and Suburban County Committees The 2018
Farm Bill directed USDA to form urban county committees as well as make other
advancements related to urban agriculture, including the establishment of the
Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. FSA established county
committees specifically focused on urban agriculture. The urban county
committees will work to encourage and promote urban, indoor and other emerging
agricultural production practices. Additionally, the new county committees may
address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local
activities to promote and encourage community compost and food waste reduction. Urban
committee members are nominated and elected to serve by local urban producers
in the same jurisdiction. These members are a vital link in the effective
administration of USDA programs and are responsible for carrying out programs
in full accordance with the regulations, national and state policies,
procedures, and instructions. Urban county committee members will provide
outreach to ensure urban producers understand USDA programs and serve as the
voice of other urban producers and assist in program implementation that
support the needs of the growing urban community. Urban county committees
must see that county office operations are supportive and that they receive
timely and quality service by carrying out responsibilities effectively,
efficiently, and impartially. Learn more at farmers.gov/urban. 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 Nov. 1, 2021. To find your
local USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-locator. USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov. USDA is
an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
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