Hot weather is breathtaking

When I was looking over some past files in preparation for this week's column, I ran across this "intro" paragraph from a July 2011, column: "I have been reminding myself lately how much I dislike really cold weather, and how much I do like the extended daylight hours of summer. Other than that, my most applicable description of our recent weather condition is 'breathtaking.' When I walk out of our air-conditioned office, the hot temperatures and hot winds nearly take my breath away!"

I quoted this paragraph because I am not sure I could say it any better. I'm thinking that we should re-name July and simply refer to the month as "ditto" if we continue on this all too familiar path of no rain, very hot, very hot, no rain, very hot and no rain.

Uncomfortable weather conditions aside, it is time again for completing nominations to the Farm Service Agency county committee. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently issued an announcement emphasizing to the farm community that the nomination period for local FSA county committees ends on Wednesday, Aug. 1.

"I urge all farmers and ranchers to participate in this year's county committee elections by nominating candidates by the deadline," said Vilsack. "County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide a voice to landowners, farmers and ranchers so that they have an opportunity for their opinions and ideas to be heard. With better participation in recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of nominations of women and minority candidates. I hope that trend continues."

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.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A.

The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2012 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1. Elections will take place this fall.

For committee election purposes, the county is divided into three districts referred to as Local Administrative Areas. An election is held in one of these areas alternately each year, with the elected individual serving a three-year term. The area of Bourbon County hosting this year's election is LAA2 which includes the townships of Timberhill, Freedom, Osage, Mill Creek, and Scott north of U.S. Highway 54. Edward Karleskint is currently serving in this position, but has opted not to seek re-election.

FSA county committees make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Generally, committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible producers.

FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 5. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 3. Newly elected committee members and alternates will take office effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Note: FSA news releases and media advisories are available on the web at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.