Freeborn County USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Lee Crawford reminds producers the nomination period for the county committee election begins Sunday, according to a press release.

To be eligible to serve on an FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is nominated.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women also may nominate candidates. To become a candidate an eligible individual must sign the nomination form, FSA-669A. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business Aug. 1. Elections will take place this fall.

While FSA county committees do not approve or deny Farm Loan Program loans, they make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support and facility loan programs and other agricultural issues. Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers serving on FSA county committees. Committees consist of three to 11 members that are elected by eligible producers.

FSA will mail ballots to eligible voters beginning Nov. 3. Ballots are due back to the local county office either via mail or in person by Dec. 1. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1. For questions regarding the county committee contact the Freeborn County FSA office at 507-373-7960.