County committee nomination deadline slated for August 1

Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers have until Tuesday, Aug. 1, to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees, announced Barbara Mobley, CED, of the USDA's FSA.

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

FSA county committees make decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs, disaster programs, employing county executive directors and other significant agricultural issues.

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. A complete list of eligibility requirements is posted online at: http:// www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/ facts/html/cocelig06.htm.

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/pas/ publications/elections. All nomination forms for the 2006 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The county committee nomination period began Thursday, June 15. Voting takes place in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Friday, Nov. 3. The final day to return voted ballots to the local USDA Service Center is Monday, Dec. 4. Newly elected county committee members take office Monday, Jan. 1.

For more information about FSA county committees, visit a local USDA Service Center or online at:

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/ publications/elections. FSA news releases and media advisories are available on FSA's website at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/.