Nominations for candidates to run for the Farm Service Agency county committee election representing producers in Local Administrative Area (LAA) 2 came to a close on August 1, 2006. The LAA2 position is currently held by Charles Edwards of Falls of Rough. Mr. Edwards has served the maximum number of terms and is not eligible for re-election.

LAA2 includes all farms west of the following boundary line: Beginning at the point where Hwy. 187 enters Grayson County at its southern boundary; north with Hwy. 187 to intersection with Hwy. 62; west with Hwy. 62 to intersection with Hwy. 2193 (Kefauver Road) at Millwood community; north with Hwy. 2193 to intersection with Hwy. 54; west with Hwy. 54 to intersection with Hwy. 631 (Duff Road); north with Hwy. 631 to intersection with Hwy. 2196 at Duff community: thence a line due north across the northern boundary of Grayson County.

The nominees for the vacant county committee position include: Richard Armstrong, who is a grain, tobacco and beef cattle producer from the Concord community; Frances Brooks, who is a beef cattle and hay producer from the Pine Knob community; and Randall Langley, who is a grain, tobacco, beef cattle and poultry producer from the Short Creek community. The ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in LAA 2 beginning November 3, 2006. The election time period will run from November 3 thru December 4, 2006. Ballots must be postmarked by December 4 in order to be counted. The final date for the county office to count ballots will be December 11, 2006.

County Committee members play a vital role in FSA operations at the local level. Farmers who serve on committees help deliver the programs applicable to their county. They work to make FSA agricultural programs serve the needs of local producers.

County Committees are involved with decisions on:

* Commodity price support loans and payments.

* Establishment of crop yields.

* Conservation programs.

* Incentive, indemnity, and disaster payments for commodities and other farm disaster assistance.

Voters in this area have the option to vote for one of the nominees or they may write in the name of an eligible candidate. The person receiving the most votes will become the County Committee Member representing LAA2 for a 3-year term beginning January 1, 2007. The person receiving the second most votes becomes first alternate to the elected County Committee Member for a 3-year term. The person receiving the third most votes becomes second alternate to the elected County Committee member for a 3-year term.

If a socially disadvantaged producer is not elected to serve on the County Committee in areas with socially disadvantaged customers, advisory members may also be appointed. These advisors highlight special concerns and represent additional views on program implementation and administration. They are an integral part of the process that ensures all producers have a voice in the County Committee system. Advisors are appointed by the State FSA Committee from names provided by the County Committees and other persons or organizations representing socially disadvantaged groups.

If you are a producer in the LAA 2 community, please watch for your ballot in November and vote.