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WASHINGTON — Farmers and ranchers interested in helping guide federal farm programs at the local level can now submit nominations to serve on USDA Farm Service Agency county committees.
Nominations for the 2026 FSA county committee election must be postmarked or received at the local FSA office by Aug. 3.
County committees help make decisions on how FSA programs are administered locally, including disaster recovery, conservation, commodity and price support programs.
Committee members also take part in decisions involving county office employment and other local agricultural issues.
“Local voices matter, and agricultural producers play an important role in shaping how federal farm programs serve their communities,” FSA Administrator Bill Beam said.
“With nominations now open for FSA county committees, producers have an opportunity to put Farmers First by ensuring local farmers and ranchers have a voice in program delivery.” Elections will be held in certain Local Administrative Areas, or LAAs.
These areas are FSA committee elective areas within a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. Some LAAs may also focus on urban or suburban areas.
Producers interested in serving can determine whether their LAA is up for election by contacting their local FSA office or visiting fsa.usda. gov/coc.
To be eligible, agricultural producers must participate or cooperate in a USDA program and live in the LAA holding an election this year.
A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied for or received program benefits.
Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates.
More than 7,700 members of the agriculture community serve on FSA county committees nationwide.
Committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms.
To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and more information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda. gov/coc.
Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November.
