Daily Dunklin Democrat: Features: FSA committee member nominations are being accepted (06/15/05)

The USDA will soon begin accepting nomination forms for eligible candidates to serve on local Farm Service Agency county committees in Dunklin and Pemiscot counties, Aaron Ivie, Dunklin County executive director, announced.

The nomination period is June 15 to Aug. 1, 2005.

"I encourage local producers to run for a position on the local FSA county committee and make a difference," said Ivie. "FSA county committees have an important role in the decision-making process for commodity price support loans and payments, conservation and disaster programs and other important agricultural issues in the farming community."

Almost anyone participating or cooperating in a local FSA program-- and of legal voting age--may be a candidate. Individuals may nominate themselves or others.

All nomination forms must be received in the county FSA office or be postmarked by Aug. 1. Voting takes place between Nov. 4 and Dec. 5, 2005.

To hold office as an FSA county committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility requirements:

* Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA;

* Be eligible to vote in a county committee election;

* Reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate. (In some cases, this requirement may be waived. Check with the county office staff.);

* A person must not have been:

* Removed or disqualified from the office of FSA county committee member, alternate or employee;

* Removed for cause from any public office or have been convicted of fraud, larceny, embezzlement or any other felony; or

* Dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services.

People uncertain about their eligibility to vote in the FSA county committee election should contact FSA county office staff. Affirmation of eligibility to vote must be determined in order for a vote to count in an election.

More information on the county committee elections, including the nomination form, is available at the Dunklin County FSA office and the Pemiscot County FSA office, or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.