Refugio’s Farm Service Agency announced that committee nominations began June 15 for local FSA county committees. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 3.

“I encourage all producers to participate in the county committee election process by nominating candidates by the August 3rd deadline,” said Robert Garcia, executive director for the local USDA agency. “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.”

Producers may also nominate themselves, and organizations representing minority and women may also nominate candidates.

To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and other valuable information about FSA county committee elections are available online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=newsroom&subject=landing&topic=cce.

FSA will mail ballots to producers beginning Nov. 6. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 7, 2009.

Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2010. For more information about County Committees please contact the Refugio/Goliad County FSA at 361-526-2392 ext. 2 or visit FSA online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.