Updated: July 19, 2017

Aug. 1 is the deadline for farmers and ranchers to nominate eligible candidates to serve on the local Farm Service Agency county committees, reminds Tyeisha Samples, acting executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

County committees are made up of farmers and ranchers elected by other producers in their communities who guide the delivery of farm programs at the local level. Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of FSA.

Committees consist of three to 11 members and meet once a month or as needed to make important decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

For a complete list of eligibility requirements and more information and nomination forms, log on to www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 6 and are due back to the local USDA Service Centers on Dec. 4. The newly elected county committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.