Darren Pruski, executive director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Bee County, announced farmer and rancher candidate nominations begin June 15 for local FSA county committees. The nomination period continues through Aug. 3. Elections take place this fall.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the Aug. 3 deadline,” said Pruski. “We are counting on as much participation as possible, because county committees are an important link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We have seen a trend in recent years of increased nominations of minority and women producers and we hope that will continue.”

Nomination forms for the 2009 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3, 2009.

FSA county committee members make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other important agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms.

FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning Nov. 6. The voted ballots are due back to the county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7.

For more information about county committees, please contact the Bee County FSA at 358-3343, ext. 2, or visit FSA online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.