The nomination period for local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee members is under way and is nearing the Aug. 1 deadline, according to a notice from the Moore-Montgomery FSA office.

FSA county committees help local farmers through decisions on commodity price support loans, conservation programs and disaster programs and by working closely with county executive directors.

"County committees are important because they help deliver federal programs, which is an important aspect of our service to agriculture," said Teresa Lasseter, administrator of FSA, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Lasseter said she encourages all producers to get involved by nominating eligible candidates for these county committees.

"I especially urge producers to nominate beginning farmers and ranchers, as well as minorities and women," Lasseter said. "Helping beginning farmers and ranchers is a USDA priority under the new farm bill. Having these producers in the county committees will help us build a strong future for our next generation of agricultural businesses and communities."

To hold office as a county committee member, a person 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 in which the person is a candidate.

A complete list of eligibility requirements and additional information are posted online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov, where one may click "FSA Counts on You" spotlight. Individuals can nominate themselves or others as candidates.

All nominees must sign nomination form FSA-669A, which includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. Form FSA-669A is available at USDA Service Centers and online at the FSA Web site.

Voting takes place in the fall. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 3. The final day to return voted ballots to the local USDA Service Center is Dec. 1. Newly elected county committee members will take office Jan. 1.

The Moore-Montgomery FSA Service Center is in the Moore County Agriculture Center on Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage.