FSA Committee elections about to begin

Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner recently offered a reminder to eligible voters that the election period for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees will begin on Nov. 5, and is open through Dec. 3, 2007, as ballots to eligible producers will be mailed by that date.

"County committees help administer federal farm programs at the local level and it is vital that committees represent a cross-section of producers in each community," said Conner. "I encourage all eligible producers, especially minorities and women, to make a difference in their community by voting in this year's FSA county committee elections."

FSA county committees help ensure FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers. Committees provide input on commodity price support loans and payments, conservation programs and disaster assistance. FSA committees face the added challenge this coming year of implementing a new farm bill currently being debated. FSA committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.

Most committees consist of three members and may have an appointed advisor to further represent the interests of minority and women farmers and ranchers.

Agricultural producers, who participate or cooperate in any FSA program and are of legal voting age, can vote. A person supervising and conducting the farming operations on an entire farm, but not of legal voting age, can also vote.

Ballots will be sent out Nov. 5 to eligible farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers. Eligible producers should contact their local FSA offices if they do not receive a ballot. All ballots must be returned to the voter's FSA office or be post-marked by Dec. 3, 2007.

The Linn County local administrative area (LAA 1) hosting the election this year includes the townships of Blue Mound, Mound City, Sheridan, Stanton, and Potosi south of 1000 Road. The candidates on the ballot include Edward Samyn, Ernest Troth, and Pamela Wilson. The incumbent for this spot is Ms. Wilson.

In Bourbon County, the affected local administrative area (LAA 1) includes the townships of Franklin, Marion, and Walnut. Nominees include Elwin Ermel, Joe Ludlum, and Buford Stewart. The incumbent for this committee seat is Mr. Ludlum.

The candidate receiving the most votes serves a three-year term as the elected county committee member. The person receiving the second most votes serves a three-year term as the first alternate. The candidate receiving the third most votes serves as second alternate for three years.

Approximately one-third of the nearly 8,000 committee seats nationwide are up for election annually. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2008.

Producers can learn more about FSA county committees by contacting a local FSA office or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/.