Special to the Journal

Charles E. Clark, County Executive Director of the Crenshaw County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office, announced that agricultural producers can nominate eligible candidates to serve on USDA-FSA county committees now through August 1, 2007, for the County Committee Election to be held in the fall.

&#8220Farmers and ranchers have an important opportunity to ensure that their FSA County Committee represents them by participating in the county committee election process,” said Clark.

&#8220I encourage local agricultural producers to nominate eligible candidates, especially minorities and women, to serve on their local county committee and to vote this fall.”

Farmers and ranchers who serve on county committees help make decisions necessary to administer federal farm programs offered in their communities.

They make decisions on agricultural issues such as commodity price support loans and payments, conservation programs, disaster payments and employing County Executive Directors.

Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in programs administered by FSA and live in the local administrative area conducting an election may be nominated for candidacy for a committee.

Farmers and ranchers can obtain a complete list of eligibility requirements by visiting a local USDA Service Center or online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others as candidates.

Additionally, community based organizations representing minorities and women may nominate candidates.

To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign nomination form FSA-669A.

The form includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected.

For more information about FSA county committees or to obtain a nomination form (FSA-669A), visit a local USDA Service Center or online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.