USDA Farm Service Agency to Hold County Committee Election Forum

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) invites all producers to attend a meeting regarding upcoming County Committee Elections. This forum will be held on Wednesday, July 20, at the local FSA Service Center, located at 874 NW Broad Street in Lyons. According to USDA FSA Toombs County Executive Director Cathy C. Barlow, the meeting will address many questions about the election process and will encourage local landowners and farmers to take part in the upcoming vote, which will be held from November 7 until December 5, as farmers from east of the Highway 297/Highway 15/Highway 1 boundaries will vote for their county committee member. These elected officials serve on committees, which have between 3 and 11 members, to make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, and other agricultural issues.

Election Background

These elections are very similar to other local elections, as producers select representatives from various local administrative areas (LAA) within the county to serve three-year terms on the FSA county committee. To serve as these representatives, individuals must participate or cooperate in a program administered by the FSA, be eligible to vote in county committee elections, and reside in the LAA which they will represent.

Candidates are nominated by their agricultural peers or themselves. Organizations that represent minorities and women may also nominate candidates for this position. Currently, the nomination period is open until August 1. More information on nominations and related paperwork can be found online at the USDA FSA website.

Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters on November 7 and are due back by December 5. The elected committee member will take office on January 1, 2023.