Nomination period open for FSA county committee

By Pamela Stahlke
Pamela.Stahlke@mn.usda.gov

Date Modified: 08/02/2012 2:02 PM

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The nomination period is open for local FSA County Committees.

County Committee members hold a very unique position in the federal government. The role of a COC member is to ensure FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers while adhering to federal regulations. FSA is the only federal agency to have a board of locally elected officials that assist with making decisions to administer programs at the local level. Every interested and eligible producer is encouraged to apply.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, 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.

For FSA purposes each county's townships are equally divided into LAA's that function as voting districts. Most counties have three LAA's and there is typically one LAA up for election each year. To find out what LAA you live in, and what LAA is up for election in 2012 please contact your local FSA office.

Producers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To run for COC an eligible candidate must sign the FSA-669A, commonly referred to as the nomination form, and agree to serve a three-year term if elected. For the 2012 election cycle nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the FSA County Office on or before Aug. 1.

The nomination form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at your local FSA office. You are also encouraged to visit us online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. COC elections will take place this fall. Get involved in your local agricultural program administration and run for or nominate someone for County Committee today.