06/19/08 FSA county committees

Nominations are now being taken for Farm Service Agency county committees. FSA deputy administrator Glen Keppy says anyone involved in agriculture can be nominated for a county committee until the August first deadline. KEPPY "The election of agriculture individuals to be on the FSA county committee is important to all farmers regardless of size. Local committee people provide to us information about what's going on in their county and we can use that here in Washington DC and in the state offices as we develop programs and carry them out." You have to participate in some FSA program to be on a Farm Service Agency county committee. KEPPY "Either an individual himself can nominate himself or somebody else can." Nationwide, there are more than 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees for three year terms. Committees consist of three to five members who are elected by eligible local producers. FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning November 3. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 1. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office January first, 2009. If you need more information about the county committees call or visit you local Farm Service Agency office or go on line at fsa.usda.gov. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott