Agricultural producers across the nation have a unique opportunity to shape how federal farm programs are delivered in their communities. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on local county committees, and the deadline is approaching fast.

Why County Committees Matter

FSA county committees aren’t just administrative bodies; they’re the backbone of local agricultural decision-making. These committees have real power to influence how disaster recovery, conservation, commodity support, and price support programs are implemented in your area. They also make decisions about county office employment and tackle other pressing agricultural issues that directly affect your operation.

With more than 7,700 dedicated agriculture community members currently serving nationwide, these committees represent the voice of local producers in federal program administration. It’s democracy in action at the grassroots level of American agriculture.

Who Can Serve?

The eligibility requirements are straightforward and designed to be inclusive:

You can be nominated if you:

• Participate in or cooperate with a USDA program
• Live in a Local Administrative Area (LAA) that’s up for election this year

Don’t worry if you’ve never received program benefits—being a “cooperating producer” simply means you’ve provided information about your farming or ranching operation to FSA. This broad definition ensures that producers at all levels of engagement can participate.

The Nomination Process Made Simple

Getting involved is easier than you might think. Here’s what you need to know:

Who Can Nominate:

• You can nominate yourself
• You can nominate other qualified producers
• Qualifying organizations can also submit nominations

Key Requirements:

• Complete and sign FSA Form 669A
• Ensure the form is postmarked or received by your local FSA office by August 1, 2025
• Be registered with your local FSA office

The USDA actively encourages all eligible producers to participate—whether that’s nominating candidates, voting in elections, or serving in office themselves.

Understanding Local Administrative Areas

Local Administrative Areas (LAAs) are the electoral districts for FSA committees. These can cover:

• Single counties
• Multi-county jurisdictions
• Urban or suburban focused areas

Not every LAA holds elections each year, so your first step should be contacting your local FSA office to determine if your area is up for election in 2025. You can also use the geographic information system locator tool at fsa.usda.gov/elections to find your specific LAA.

Urban and Suburban Agriculture Gets a Voice

The FSA recognizes that agriculture isn’t limited to rural areas. Urban county committees specifically focus on promoting urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices. These committees serve 27 cities nationwide and work to:

• Provide outreach to urban producers about USDA programs
• Serve as advocates for urban agricultural communities
• Assist in implementing programs that meet the unique needs of urban farming operations

Urban producers elect their own committee members, ensuring that the specific challenges and opportunities of urban agriculture are properly represented.

What Committee Service Involves

Serving on an FSA county committee is a significant commitment that offers real influence over agricultural policy implementation. Committee members serve three-year terms on panels that range from three to 11 members, depending on the size and needs of the area.

The role involves regular meetings, program oversight, and serving as a liaison between local producers and federal agricultural agencies. It’s an opportunity to directly impact how programs are administered in your community while gaining valuable insights into agricultural policy and program management.

Take Action Now

With the August 1 deadline approaching, interested producers should act quickly. Here’s your action plan:

1. Contact your local FSA office to confirm your LAA is holding elections this year
2. Register with FSA if you haven’t already
3. Obtain and complete FSA Form 669A
4. Submit your nomination before the August 1 deadline

Remember, election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November 2025, so the nomination period is your chance to ensure qualified candidates are on the ballot.

More Resources

For additional information about FSA county committee elections, nomination forms, and to access the LAA locator tool, visit fsa.usda.gov/elections. Urban agriculture information is also available at farmers.gov/urban.

Your local USDA Service Center can provide personalized guidance about the nomination process and answer questions about serving on county committees.

The Bottom Line

Agricultural producers have a voice in how federal farm programs are administered—but only if they choose to use it. Whether you’re interested in serving yourself or know someone who would make an excellent committee member, the nomination process is your opportunity to strengthen agricultural representation in your community.

Don’t let this chance pass by. Get involved, nominate qualified candidates, and help ensure that local agricultural voices are heard in federal program administration.