Marion County Executive Director, Todd D. Bullock, has announced that the Marion County Farm Service Agency Office will soon begin accepting nomination petitions for eligible candidates in LAA-1 (local administrative area one) which comprise areas west of the Pearl River in Marion County to serve on the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee.
The nomination period opens June 17 and ends at the close of business on August 1.
“I encourage producers to take an active part in their local FSA County Committee and make a difference,” said Bullock. “FSA County Committees have an important role in the decision-making process for commodity price support loans and payments, conservation, and disaster programs and other important agricultural issues in their farming community.”
The 2024 Committee Election takes place in Local Administrative Area (LAA) 1 and includes areas west of the Pearl River . A detailed map of the boundaries of LAA 1 is available in the Marion County Farm Service Agency Office in Columbia.
Almost anyone farming in this area of the County and participating or cooperating in a local FSA program—and of legal voting age—may be a candidate. Individuals may nominate themselves or others.
All nomination forms must be received in the County FSA Office or be postmarked by August 1. Voting takes place later this year after ballots are mailed from November 1st through December 2nd.
To hold office as an FSA County Committee member, a person must meet the basic eligibility requirements described below:
- 1. Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA.
- 2. Be eligible to vote in a county committee election.
- 3. Reside in the LAA in which the person is a candidate. The election is being held in LAA 1 in 2024.
- 4. A person must not have been:
- Removed or disqualified from the office of FSA County Committee member, alternate, or employee;
- Removed for cause from any public office or have been convicted of fraud, larceny, embezzlement, or any other felony; or
- Dishonorably discharged from any branch of the armed services.
People uncertain about their eligibility to vote in the FSA County Committee election should contact their local FSA office. Affirmation of eligibility to vote must be determined for a vote to count in an election.
Nomination forms are available at your local Marion County FSA Office or on the internet. More information on the COC elections, including the nomination form, is also available at local FSA County Offices, USDA Service Centers or online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
For more information call us at 601-731-5400.
