Nominations for Butler/Beaver/Allegheny Farm Service Agency county committee openings must be postmarked or received in the Butler/Beaver/Allegheny County FSA Office by close of business on Aug. 1.

County committees are unique to FSA and allow producers to have a voice on federal farm program implementation at the local level.

To be eligible to serve on the FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the Local Administrative Area where they are nominated.

All producers, including women, minority and beginning farmers and ranchers, are encouraged to participate in the nomination and election process.

This year, nominations and elections will be held in LAA 2, which includes Muddy Creek, Franklin, Center, Oakland, Donegal, Lancaster, Connoquenessing, Butler, Summit and Clearfield townships and Portersville, Prospect and East Butler.

LAA-4 also will hold an election which includes Beaver County areas of Darlington, Big Beaver, North Sewickley, Franklin, Marion, South Beaver, Chippewa, West Mayfield, Beaver Falls, Patterson, New Brighton, Pulaski, Daugherty, New Sewickley, Ohioville, Midland, Industry, Brighton, Bridgewater, Vanport, Beaver, Rochester, Freedom, Conway, Economy, Baden, Harmony and Ambridge.

Producers may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations representing minority and women farmers and ranchers may also nominate candidates. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A. The form and more information about county committee elections is available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Elected county committee members serve a 3-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues. County committees consist of three to 11 members.

FSA will mail election ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 7. Ballots are due back in the Butler/Beaver/Allegheny County Office by mail or in person no later than Dec. 5. All newly elected county committee members and alternates will take office Jan. 1. 

For more information about county committees, please contact the Butler/Beaver/Allegheny County FSA office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 2, or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.