Farmers and ranchers have until August 2, 2021, to nominate candidates to serve on the San Saba-Mills/Lampasas-Burnet County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accepts nominations each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) for individuals to serve on these locally led committees.
“The August 2 deadline is quickly approaching,” said Arianna Thedford, executive director for FSA in San Saba-Mills/Lampasas-Burnet County. “Committee members play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency and are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs. This is your opportunity to have a say in how federal programs are delivered in our county.”
This year, San Saba County is accepting nominations for LAA 3, which includes Cherokee, Pecan Springs, and areas south of Hwy 190 W. This year, Lampasas County is accepting nominations for LAA 1 and LAA 2, which includes all of Lampasas County. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program, and reside in the LAA up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve threeyear terms. Individuals may nominate themselves or others, and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote, and hold office.
Producers should contact either the San Saba-Mills or Lampasas-Burnet County FSA office how to get involved. To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA-669A nomination form or an FSA-669-A-3 for urban county committees. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at <fsa.usda.gov/ elections>.
Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning November 1, 2021.