NEWS
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of Communications News Room 460-A
Washington, DC 20250-1300
Internet: News@usda.gov   Phone: 202-720-9035
World Wide Web Home Page: http://www.usda.gov
  
Release No. 0022.05 

                                                    Contact: 
                                      Ed Loyd (202) 720-4623 
                              Stevin Westcott (202) 720-4178 
   
VENEMAN ANNOUNCES NEW UNIFORM GUIDELINES FOR FARM SERVICE 
AGENCY COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTIONS
 
         WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2005 � Agriculture Secretary 
Ann M. Veneman today announced new uniform guidelines for 
conducting USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee 
elections. 

         "These guidelines reflect months of work by USDA and 
comments by many minority and producer organizations," 
said Veneman. "These guidelines are intended to make the 
election process for County Committees more accessible to 
all producers, especially minorities and women." 

         Authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill to develop uniform 
guidelines to govern the FSA County Committee election 
process, the guidelines are designed to increase the 
participation of minority and women producers. On Aug. 17, 
2004, the USDA published a list of proposed guidelines in 
the Federal Register for public comment. The proposed 
guidelines were developed based on input from 
associations, community groups and leaders, as well as by 
an inter-agency working group convened by Secretary 
Veneman. Due to the many public comments received, the 
comment period was extended until Oct. 16, 2004. 

         As the result of the comments received and further 
consideration by Secretary Veneman, some of the proposed 
guidelines have been modified in the final guidelines 
published in the Federal Register today. The adopted 
provisions pertaining to the FSA County Committee election 
process include: 

*	Requires that ballots be mailed directly to FSA 
state offices to apply only at the request of one 
candidate, or when the Secretary determines that 
this procedure is necessary in any specific 
County Committee area. In all other cases, voters 
will return their ballots to their respective 
county offices. Ballot opening and counting will 
be fully open and accessible to the public, with 
10 days advance notice of the date and time of 
the vote tabulation. 
*	If no valid nominations are filed, the Secretary 
may nominate up to two individuals to be placed 
on the ballot. If the Secretary does not exercise 
this authority, then the State Committee may 
nominate up to two individuals to be placed on 
the ballot. If neither the Secretary nor the 
State Committee chooses to exercise their 
authority, then the respective County Committee 
shall nominate two individuals to be placed on 
the ballot. 
*	County Committees will annually review the local 
administrative area (LAA) boundaries to ensure 
the fair representation of Socially Disadvantaged 
Producers (SDA) in the area, with sufficient time 
allowed for public input of proposed LAA boundary 
changes prior to FSA State Committee review. In 
specific instances, FSA Headquarters in 
Washington, D.C. may conduct further review of 
LAA boundary changes if further review is sought 
by either the public or deemed appropriate. 
*	FSA county offices shall actively locate and 
recruit eligible candidates identified as SDA 
farmers and ranchers as potential nominees for 
the County Committee elections using any 
reasonable means necessary, including the 
development of partnerships with community based 
organizations. 
*	Allows for the release of voter names and 
addresses to candidates. All other eligible 
voters will only be entitled to review a list of 
the voter names. 

         FSA will incorporate the new guidelines into 
regulations governing County Committee elections. The 
guidelines represent the USDA's commitment to ensuring 
that all producers have fair and equal access to all 
programs. FSA will continue to look for more ways to 
ensure that County Committees fairly represent producers 
in covered areas. 

         FSA County Committee members play an important role 
in their communities by helping to deliver FSA farm 
programs at the local level. Committees make decisions on 
commodity price support payments, establishment of 
allotments and yields, conservation programs, disaster 
assistance and other vital issues. 

         Individuals may nominate themselves or others as 
candidates for seats on County Committees. In addition, 
eligible candidates can be nominated by any community-
based, faith-based or other organizations in the county or 
area during the nomination period. Groups representing SDA 
producers will be encouraged to nominate eligible 
individuals. Nominations and elections are open to all 
eligible candidates and voters without regard to race, 
color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status 
or disability. Eligibility for voting is open to all who 
demonstrate participation or cooperation in FSA programs 
and who register at their local FSA Service Center. 

         For more information about FSA's County Committee 
election guidelines, visit 
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections  

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