Farm service agency seeking leaders

The Connecticut Farm Service Agency is encouraging farmers to nominate and vote for a candidate for County Committee by Aug. 1.

Marsha B. Jetté, agency executive director, said local elected members represent their farm community and help administer USDA programs.

Nomination forms are at local USDA Service Centers or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Eligible candidates must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area. Farmers may nominate themselves or others.

FSA county committees make decisions on disaster and conservation programs, emergency programs, commodity price support loan programs and other agricultural issues.

Members serve three-year terms. Nationwide, there are about 7,800 farmers and ranchers, elected by eligible producers, serving on FSA county committees.

For information, call the USDA Service Center in Norwich at 860-887-3604, ext. 1.