Farmers and ranchers have until Aug. 1 to nominate candidates to serve on the Madison County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accepts nominations each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) for individuals to serve on these locally led committees.

“The Aug. 1 deadline is quickly approaching,” said Donna Purdy, executive director for FSA in Madison County. “Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency and are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity, and price support programs. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in our county.”

This year, Madison County is accepting nominations for LAA #3, which includes the Townships of Brookfield, DeRuyter, Georgetown, Hamilton, and Lebanon. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside in the LAA up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits, according to the USDA.

Nationwide, the USDA reports that more than 7,700 members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees consist of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates.

USDA encourages minority producers, women, and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote, and hold office.

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A nomination form. Urban farmers should use an FSA-669-A-3 for urban county committees. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 7.