County Executive Director for the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency Donny Green reminds DeKalb County and Cannon County farmers that the deadline to nominate candidates to serve on USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee is Aug. 1.

"County committees play a vital role in the administration of federal farm programs and the positive effect they have on rural communities. Effective January 1, 2014, the DeKalb/Cannon FSA County Committee transitioned to a 5-member committee composed of representatives from both counties. This new committee structure is the result of the office consolidation that became effective in Oct. 2012.

DeKalb County nominees must reside in Local Administrative Area (LAA) # 2 which generally covers the western section of DeKalb County including Alexandria, Temperance Hall, Liberty, Dowelltown, Wolf Creek, Snow Hill, Dry Creek, Pea Ridge, and portions of Short Mountain communities.

Cannon County nominees must reside in LAA # 4. LAA # 4 is the area of Cannon County east of Highway 53.

Individuals may nominate themselves, or others, as a candidate. In addition, eligible candidates can be nominated by community-based and other organizations, especially groups representing socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers, in the county where the election is being held before the close of the nomination period. Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, color, religion, nation origin, age, sex, marital status or disability. The nomination form (FSA-669A) is available at USDA Service Centers and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections.

Producers should remember the following dates regarding the upcoming county committee elections. Producers can request, complete, and submit nomination forms through Aug. 1. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 3. The deadline to return ballots is Dec. 1. Elected committee members and alternates take office on January 1, 2015.