The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened County Committee nominations June 15 and needs your help.

Each county office is looking for producers to serve on the local county committee. County Committee elections are held annually in every county. Each year, FSA accepts nominations for a certain Local Administrative Area (LAA) and the LAA up for election rotates each year. Shelby County LAA No. 2 that includes Van Buren, Dinsmore and Jackson Townships, is up for election this year. We ask that you please nominate yourself or another producer to serve on the FSA County Committee in that area.

County Committees are unique to FSA and serve as a direct link between agricultural communities across the country and USDA. Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA. Committees help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Shelby County is comprised of three members who serve three year terms. Producers who serve on committees help decide the kinds of programs their counties will offer and work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.

While the producers each have different reasons they chose to serve on the FSA County Committee, they all agree that it’s important to let their community and fellow farmers know about FSA programs and loans. Please stop at the Shelby County FSA Office located at 820 Fair Road in Sidney and pick up a nomination form today.