2014 FSA County Committee Elections-King & Queen County This year's County Committee Election will be held in King & Queen County, Local Administrative Area 2. The election of agricultural producers to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees is important to all farmers and ranchers, whether beginning or long-established, large or small operation. It is crucial that every eligible producer participate in these elections because FSA county committees are a link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. County Committee (COC) members are a critical component of FSA operations. The intent is to have the COC reflect the makeup of the producers and represent all constituents. This means wherever possible, minorities, women or lower income producers need to be on the committee to speak for these under-represented groups. County committees provide local input on:
• Commodity price support loans and payments
• Conservation programs
• Incentive, indemnity and disaster payments for some commodities
• Emergency programs
• Payment eligibility. FSA county committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws and members apply their judgment and knowledge to make local decisions. Election Period
June 16, 2014 – The nomination period begins.
Aug. 1, 2014 – Last day to file nomination forms (FSA-669A) at
USDA Service Center.
Nov. 3, 2014 – Ballots mailed to eligible voters.
Dec. 1, 2014 – Last day to return completed ballots to the USDA
Service Center.
Jan. 1, 2015 – Newly elected county committee members take
office. Who Can Hold Office
To hold office as a county committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility criteria:
• Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA
• Be eligible to vote in a county committee election
• Reside in the local administrative area (LAA) in which the
person is a candidate.
Not have been:
• Removed or disqualified from the office of county committee member, alternate or employee.
• Dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services. • Removed for cause from any public office or have been convicted of fraud, larceny,embezzlement or any other felony Nominations
To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign nomination form FSA-669A. The form includes a statement that the nominee agrees to serve if elected. This form is available at USDA Service Centers and online. Nomination forms for the 2014 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1, 2014. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. Additionally, organizations representing minority and women farmers or ranchers may nominate candidates. Nomination forms are filed for the county committee of the office that administers a producer's farm records. Who Can Vote
Agricultural producers of legal voting age may be eligible to vote if they participate or cooperate in any FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm also may be eligible to vote. More information about voting eligibility requirements can be found in the FSA fact sheet titled "FSA County Committee Election – Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a County Committee Member." Producers may contact their local USDA Service Center for more information. 2014 Acreage Reporting Dates In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit their local FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline. The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Virginia: July 15, 2014: CRP, corn, soybeans, all tobacco types, spring planted grains, cotton, peanuts, potatoes
The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates: If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed. If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office. If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of "cover only," "green manure," "left standing," or "seed," then the acreage must be reported by July 15th. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins. | 
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