The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) 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. 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.

This year, nominations and elections for Braxton County will be held in local administrative area 2.  Its boundaries are east of I-79 to the county line and includes the areas of Strange Creek, Little Birch, Flatwoods and Heaters.

Nominations and elections for Nicholas County will be held in local administrative area 5.   Its boundaries are south of Gauley River to the county line and includes the areas of Canvas, Nettie, Mt. Lookout, and Pool.

All nomination forms for the 2018 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA service center by August 1, 2018. 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 or contact the Braxton-Clay-Nicholas-Webster Counties FSA office at 304-364-5103.