March 28, 2024

County committee nomination period ends

Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers began to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local Farm Service Agency county committees on June 2, announced Joyce Frost, County Executive Director the Clarke-Decatur County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office.

“County committees play a vital role in the administration of federal farm programs and the positive effect they have on rural communities,” Frost said.

FSA county committees make decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs, disaster programs, employing county executive directors and other significant agricultural issues. This year, Local Administrative Area1 located in Clarke County will be selecting a representative for the county committee.

To hold office as a county committee member, 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 in which the person is a candidate, among other requirements.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Additionally, organizations representing minorities and women may nominate candidates.

All nominees must sign nomination form FSA-669A, which includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. Form FSA-669A is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

The county committee nomination period began June 2. Voting takes place in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 3. The final day to return voted ballots to the local USDA Service Center is Dec. 1. Newly-elected county committee members take office Jan. 1, 2015.

Become involved by nominating and voting in the local county committee. For more information on the county committee election process, eligibility requirements or other programs administered by FSA contact the Clarke-Decatur County FSA Office at Osceola or visit FSA on-line at: www.fsa.usda.gov.