(Elizabethtown, N.C.), July 1, 2015 –Bladen County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Chris Tatum, announced that the nomination period for local FSA county committees began on June 15, 2015. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the Bladen County FSA Office by close of business on Aug. 3, 2015.
“County Committees are unique to FSA and allow producers to have a voice on federal farm program implementation at the local level,” said Tatum.
To be eligible to serve on the FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the Local Administrative Area (LAA) where they are nominated.
This year, nominations and elections will be held in LAA 1, which includes Elizabethtown, Brown Marsh, Whites Creek, and Carvers Creek Township.
Producers may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations representing minority and women farmers and ranchers may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and more information about county committee elections is available online at: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues. County committees consist of three to 11 members.
“It is important that county committees are comprised of members who fairly represent the diverse demographics of production agriculture for their community,” said Tatum. “All producers, including women, minority and beginning farmers and ranchers are encouraged to participate in the nomination and election process.”
FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 9. Ballots are due back in the Bladen County Office by mail or in person no later than Dec. 7, 2015. All newly elected county committee members and alternates will take office January 1, 2016.
“Nominating potential county committee members, voting for candidates and serving on the committees are truly services to your community and the agriculture industry,” said Tatum. “County Committee members make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally to best serve local needs and interests.”
For more information about county committees, please contact the Bladen County FSA office at 910-862-3179 ex. 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
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