Farm Service Agency seeking County Committee nominations

GREENCASTLE -- Roger Bailey, County Executive Director for the Putnam/Hendricks County FSA Office, announced recently that the Farm Service Agency is seeking nominations for the Putnam/Hendricks County farmer elected committee.

"I encourage local producers to become a member of their local FSA Committee and make a difference," said Bailey. "FSA County Committees have an important role in the decision making process on important agricultural issues in their community."

The area up for election in 2010 is District 2, consisting of Clinton, Monroe, Madison, Greencastle and Marion townships in Putnam County.

All nomination forms must be received in the Putnam/Hendricks County FSA Office or postmarked by Aug. 2. Nomination forms may be obtained at the County FSA Office or at fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections/Default.asp. Voting will take place between Nov. 5 and Dec. 6.

To hold office as an FSA County Committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility requirements. In general, the nominee be actively engaged in farming or ranching, be of legal voting age, not hold a politically elected office above township trustee, not be a FSA employee and they must live in the area that they are being nominated to represent.

People uncertain about their eligibility to vote in the FSA County Committee election or hold office as a committee member should contact the local FSA Office at 653-5716. Affirmation of eligibility to vote must be determined in order for a vote to count in an election.

FSA County Committees oversee local FSA operations. They make decisions on commodity price support payments and eligibility, conservation programs, disaster assistance and other agricultural issues.

Established in 1936, the County Committee system works to make Federal agricultural programs serve the needs of the local producers. Every committee has three to five elected members. More than 8,000 County Committee members serve in more than 2,300 county offices locations.