SALISBURY — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the nomination period for Rowan Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Monday, June 17.
“I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers to participate in this year’s county committee elections by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline,” said Vilsack. “County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide an opportunity to farmers and ranchers for their opinions and ideas to be heard. We have been seeing an increase in the number of nominations of women and minority candidates and I hope that trend continues.”
To be eligible to serve on the FSA Rowan County Committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Rowan County farmers and producers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the Rowan County USDA Service Center by close of business on August 1, 2013. Elections take place this fall.
While FSA Rowan County Committee does not approve or deny farm ownership or operating loans, it makes decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers.
FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning November 4. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by December 2. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office on January 1, 2014.
Contact the Rowan County Farm Service Agency office for election information, or on FSA programs and assistance, located at 2727 Old Concord Road, Salisbury, or call 704-637-1602.