The Lincoln-Franklin County U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency needs committee members to administer programs locally.

Area farmers need to be reminded of the role of Farm Service Agency in the local community, according to Lincoln-Franklin County USDA FSA Acting Executive Director Melissa Jordan.

“Farm Service Agency serves all farmers, ranchers and agricultural planters through the delivery of effective, efficient agricultural programs,” Jordan said. “FSA provides local farmers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. FSA also has a longstanding tradition of conserving the nation’s natural resources through the Conservation Reserve Program.”

FSA provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private or commercial credit. Special emphasis is placed on providing credit to beginning, minority and women farmers.

Producers can get involved with the FSA by serving on the local Lincoln-Franklin County FSA Committee. Members apply their judgment and knowledge to help with decisions necessary to administer FSA programs locally, ensuring the needs of local producers are met. The committees operate within official federal regulations and provide local input on: income safety-net loans and payment, including setting county average yields for commodities; conservation programs; incentive, indemnity and disaster payments for some commodities; emergency programs; and payment eligibility.

The county committee nomination period began Wednesday, June 1. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received in the Lincoln-Franklin County FSA Office by close of business Aug. 1.

Farmers and ranchers may nominate themselves or others. Organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates.

Eligible individuals must sin an FSA-669A nomination form, available with other information at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Forms must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business Aug. 1.

For additional information, visit the Brookhaven office at 1395 Johnny Johnson Drive, Ste. A, or call 601-833-9321 ext. 2.