USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for county committee members. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated and people may nominate themselves or others.

“I encourage America’s farmers, ranchers and forest stewards to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their county committee,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “There’s an increasing need for diverse representation including underserved producers, which includes beginning, women and minority farmers and ranchers.”

Committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally, the FSA says. The agency said the committees’ input is vital on how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made of three to 11 members and typically meet once a month. Members serve three-year terms.

Producers should visit the Powell FSA office to find out how to get involved with Park County’s committee. To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form. The form and other information are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. All nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 4.