FSA seeking county committee advisers

Hello again!

Happy New Year! Whew, it seems like our “cliff diving” trip has been canceled. I, for one, am very happy about that — I am not real impressed with rocky heights with only a flimsy rope to catch me if I fall.

The good news is, a farm bill extension now looms in front of us. It seems like most things will look pretty familiar, with a few modifications here and there. Soon the information will start rolling into the office to be processed and sent out to local farmers.

Election

We recently held our elections for the Local County Committee. The committee’s first priority is to treat every farmer fairly. To ensure this happens, a diverse committee system, which is representative of our diverse agricultural community, is essential.

Therefore, if the three to five elected members do not represent any minority groups in the county or area, an adviser must be appointed. A committee adviser needs to be active in the farming community and willing to serve on the committee for a one-year term. FSA County Committee advisers are a valued voice for under-represented groups and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

County committee members, and their county executive directors, actively reach out to producer groups who are under-represented on county committees.

Criteria

Eligibility requirements for COC adviser nominees include: be actively participating in farming or ranching in the county or area; be willing and available to serve as an adviser, if appointed; and indicate in writing their willingness to serve.

Duties and responsibilities of COC advisers include: attend each COC meeting, including executive sessions; participate in all deliberations; increase awareness of and participation in FSA activities, including elections, by eligible voters to ensure socially disadvantaged group problems and viewpoints are understood and considered in FSA actions; help to develop interest and incentives in socially disadvantaged group members for considering FSA work as a career; active soliciting candidates from socially disadvantaged groups for nomination during the election process; and the ability to perform special duties at COC s request. Interested individuals should contact their local FSA office for more information.

That’s all for now,

FSA Andy