The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County Committee (COC) election nomination process.
FSA’s county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.
Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision-making and farm program delivery process.
A county committee is composed of three to 11 elected members from local administrative areas (LAA). Each member serves a three-year term. One-third of the seats on these committees are open for election each year. County committees may have an appointed advisor to further represent the local interests of underserved farmers and ranchers. Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers, and landowners and/or operators who have limited resources. Other minority groups including Native American and Alaska Natives; persons under the poverty level, and persons that have disabilities are also considered underserved.
To be eligible for nomination and hold office as a committee member or alternate, a person must fulfill each of the following requirements:
(1) be a producer with an interest in farming or ranching operations,
(2) participate or cooperate in any FSA program provided for by law,
(3) be a U.S. citizen,
(4) be of legal voting age,
(5) meet the basic eligibility requirements, and
(6) reside in the county or multi-county jurisdiction in which they will be serving.
The nomination period opened June 15. The 2018 election in Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County will be conducted for the representative Local Administrative Area (LAA) 1 (Fincastle/Eagle Rock area). LAA 1 is the northern part of Botetourt County down to the southern boundary line of Rt. 606 to Rt. 630; following Rt. 630 to Rt. 43; following Rt. 43 to I-81 and continuing down the I-81 corridor (S to N).
All nomination forms for the 2018 election must be postmarked or received in the Bonsack USDA Service Center by August 1. The Service Center is located at 36 Executive Circle, Suite 1, Roanoke, 24012. For more information on FSA county committee elections and appointments, refer to the FSA fact sheet: Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a COC Member available online at: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
