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SKOWHEGAN — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency acting executive director for Maine Sherry Hamel is reminding farmers and ranchers they have until Aug. 1 to nominate eligible candidates to serve on local FSA county committees.
County committees are made up of farmers and ranchers elected by other producers in their communities to guide the delivery of farm programs at the local level. Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of FSA. Committees consist of three to 11 members and meet once a month, or as needed, to make important decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide there are more than 7,700 farmer and ranchers serving on FSA county committees.
“The Aug. 1 deadline is quickly approaching,” said Hamel. “If you know of a great candidate or want to nominate yourself to serve on your local county committee, go to your county FSA office right now and submit the nomination form. I especially encourage the nomination of beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as women and minorities. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in your county.”
To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, and reside in the local administrative area where the election is being held. 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 2017 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA county office by Aug. 1. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 6 and are due back to the local USDA Service Centers by Dec. 4. The newly-elected county committee members will take office Jan. 1, 2018.
Additionally, Hamel is reminding Mane farmers and ranchers they have until Aug. 1 to enroll in Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage through the USDA. These programs trigger financial protections for participating agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues.
“Producers have already elected ARC or PLC, but to receive program benefits, they must enroll for the 2017 crop year by signing a contract before the Aug. 1 deadline,” said Hamel. “They should contact their local FSA office to schedule an appointment if theyhave not yet enrolled.”
Covered commodities under the programs include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flax seed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long-grain rice, medium-grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
For more program information, contact the local FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. To find your local FSA office, visit offices.usda.gov. 
