The election of agricultural producers to Farm Service Agency county committees is important to all farmers and ranchers.

It is crucial that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Please get involved this year and nominate the candidate of your choice or nominate yourself to serve on your local county committee. The nomination of beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women and minorities is encouraged. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in your county.

County committee members are a critical component of the operations of the FSA. They help deliver FSA farm programs at the local level. Farmers and ranchers who serve on county committees help with the decisions necessary to administer the programs in their counties. They work to ensure FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.

FSA county committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws. County committee members apply their judgment and knowledge to make local decisions.

To be eligible to hold office as a county committee member, individuals must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and live in the local administrative area where they are running.

A complete list of eligibility requirements, more information and nomination forms are available at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

 All nominees must sign the nomination form FSA-669A. All nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by the close of business on Aug. 1. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 4 and are due back to the local USDA Service Centers on Dec. 2. The newly elected county committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2014.

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