U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced to area farmers and ranchers that the period to submit nominations for local Farm Service Agency county committees will close Aug. 1.
“County committees allow farmers and ranchers to make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally to best serve their needs,” Chris Beyerhelm, FSA administrator, said in a release.
Each with three to 11 members who serve three-year terms, county committees include farmers and ranchers who were elected by their communities to guide the delivery of farm programs at the local level. The committees meet monthly or as needed to discuss disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.
To be eligible, a person must participate in an agency-administered program and reside in the administrative area of the election.
After the nomination period ends Aug. 1, candidates will encourage eligible producers in their local administrative area to vote. FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters Nov. 6. Ballots must be submitted to local county offices via mail or in person by Dec. 4, and elected committee members will take office on Jan. 1.
Eligible individuals must sign the FSA-669A nomination form to become a candidate, available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received at the local FSA office by Aug. 1.
The La Plata and Archuleta County FSA mailing address is 31 Suttle St., Durango, CO, 81303. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more information about the La Plata and Archuleta County office, call 259-3289, ext. 2.
