In this Issue:
GUEST ARTICLE
Impact, Callisto and Callisto Package Mix Options for Processing and Fresh Market Sweet Corn
VEGETABLE NEWS
STRAWBERRY NEWS
Strawberry Weekly Pest Sampling Data
APPLE NEWS
ELECTION NEWS
USDA-Farm Service Agency County Committee Election
| Vol 3 No. 3 | May 26, 2006 |
USDA-Farm Service Agency County Committee Election
The election of agricultural producers to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer in Minnesota participate in COC elections because FSA county committees are a direct link between the agricultural community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
County committees oversee local FSA operations and make important decisions about the administration of commodity, disaster, conservation, loan programs in their communities. This grassroots approach gives Minnesota farmers and ranchers a much-needed say in how Federal actions affect their communities and their individual operations. County Committee remains a cornerstone of FSA's efforts to preserve and promote Minnesota 's agriculture. Given the critical role county committees play in local agriculture, FSA is calling for increased participation of all Minnesota farmers and ranchers in the county committee election process that begins on June 15, 2006.
From June 15 through August 1 eligible farmers and ranchers can be nominated as a candidate for their local FSA county committee. Each County Committee (COC) is composed of three to five elected members, each serving a three-year term. Every COC member represents producers in a predetermined portion of the county known as a Local Administrative Area (LAA).
Beginning November 3, 2006 ballots are mailed to eligible producers in a voting LAA with clear instructions for filling out and returning the ballot in a timely manner. December 4, 2006 is the last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Centers. Before ballots can be distributed, a slate of eligible candidates must be established.
Names for candidacy are submitted using the FSA 669-A form which is available at any FSA office or on-line at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections/. Nomination forms must be signed by the nominee, and returned to the FSA office or postmarked before August 1, 2006.
Creating a list of candidates for each ballot depends on the all important nomination process that begins June 15, 2006. Minnesota farmers and ranchers are encouraged to reach out to small and underserved farmers within their communities and develop diverse groups of nominees to run for FSA County Committee members. Minnesota State FSA urges producers to create a diverse list of candidates so their COC election can yield the best possible representation for their communities.
Who Can Vote
Agricultural producers of legal voting age can 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 can also 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.
Important Dates to Remember for COC Elections
- June 15, 2006: Nomination period begins.
- August 1, 2006: Last day to file nomination forms at the USDA Service Center .
- November 3, 2006: Ballots mailed to eligible voters.
- December 4, 2006: Last day to return voted ballots to the USDA Service Center .
- January 1, 2007 : Elected committee members and alternates take office.
For further question contact your local USDA Service Center or call Minnesota State FSA Office in St. Paul at 651-602-7000.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison (hutch002@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Jeanne Ciborowski, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ag. Resources Management and Development Division, and Suzanne Wold-Burkness (woldx018@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
The Newsletter is published weekly from May through August, cooperatively, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN). Reports are posted on the U of MN and MDA web sites on Fridays. If you have suggestions and/or comments, please send your contributions by 4 p.m., Wednesday to Jean Ciborowski, 651-201-6217, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us, MDA, 625 Robert St. North, St. Paul, MN 55155-2538. You can access the Newsletter at the U of MN web site in htm format at: www.vegedge.umn.edu/MNFruit&VegNews/mnindex.htm and at the MDA web site in pdf format at: http://www.mda.state.mn.us/ipm/ipmnews/
Partial funding for this publication is provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA). These institutions are equal opportunity providers.
DISCLAIMER
Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current manufacturer directions.
The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©1999-2006 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.