Curtis Crawford, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Grundy County announced that the county committee elections are in progress. Ballots were mailed to eligible voters and completed ballots must be returned by mail or to local FSA offices by December 3, 2012.



County committee members are elected to office by their peers and serve as the representative voice for agriculture producers in the county, and they are responsible for communicating with USDA to ensure that national programs are adapted to fit local needs. County committees are responsible for making decisions on issues including commodity loans and payments, conservation programs, disaster assistance programs and emergency programs.

Crawford encourages minority and female producers to serve as county committee members in the future. It is important that the county committee is comprised of members who reflect the demographics of the local agriculture community.
Farmers and ranchers who participate in FSA programs are eligible to vote. If eligible voters do not receive a ballot by mail, one will be provided by the local USDA Service Center.

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than December 3, 2012. New county committee members will assume their role and related responsibilities on January 1, 2013.

For more information on county committees, view the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or visit the Grundy County FSA office at 3415 Oklahoma Avenue, Trenton, MO 64683 or call 660-359-2006.