FSA Accepting Nominations for County Committee

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting nominations for county committee members on June 15. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 2, 2021. “We need enthusiastic, diverse leaders to serve other agricultural producers locally on FSA County Committees,” said Eddie Trevino Acting State Executive Director for FSA in Texas. “Now’s your time to step up and truly make an impact on how federal programs are administered at the local level to reach all producers fairly and equitably.” Trevino said agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program, and reside in the LAA that is 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. 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. Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serving on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multicounty jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area. More Information Lamar County producers should contact the local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election. The county office is located at 201 N. Collegiate Drive, Suite 500, Paris, TX 75460, phone 903-784-6679, ext. 2. Be sure to ask if your LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA- 669A nomination form. 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 Nov. 1, 2021. USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting should make an appointment with the Lamar County Farm Service Agency (FSA) before the applicable deadline. “In order to comply with USDA program eligibility requirements, all producers must file an accurate crop acreage report by the applicable deadline,” said Randi Whitis, FSA’s County Executive Director in Lamar County. “Our FSA staff is available to assist producers in completing acreage reports, including providing maps.” An acreage report documents a crop grown on a farm or ranch and its intended uses. Filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage, can prevent the loss of benefits. How to File a Report The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Lamar County: July 15, 2021: c o r n , cotton, grain sorghum, soybeans, grass for grazing or hay Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email and other digital tools. Because of the pandemic, some USDA Service Centers are open to limited visitors. Contact the Lamar County FSA office to set up an in-person or phone appointment. To file a crop acreage report, you will need to provide: Crop and crop type or variety. Intended use of the crop. Number of acres of the crop. Map with approximate boundaries for the crop. Planting date(s). Planting pattern, when applicable. Producer shares. Irrigation practice(s). Acreage prevented from planting, when applicable. Other information as required. Acreage Reporting Details The following exceptions apply to acreage reporting dates: If the crop has not been planted by the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed. If a producer acquires additional acreage after the acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendar days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office. Producers should also report crop acreage they intended to plant, but due to natural disaster, were unable to plant. Prevented planting acreage must be reported on form CCC- 576, Notice of Loss, no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date as established by FSA and USDA’s Risk Management Agency. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP-covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.