Farmers and ranchers across the United States can now submit nominations to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees, with the agency opening the nomination period for its 2026 elections.
The committees play a central role in administering federal agricultural programmes at the local level, providing farmers and ranchers with a direct voice in how government support initiatives are delivered within their communities. Nomination forms must be postmarked or received by local FSA offices no later than 3 August 2026.
The USDA said county committees remain an important component of local agricultural governance, helping ensure federal programmes are implemented in a way that reflects regional needs and priorities.
“Local voices matter, and agricultural producers play an important role in shaping how federal farm programs serve their communities,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “With nominations now open for FSA county committees, producers have an opportunity to put Farmers First by ensuring local farmers and ranchers have a voice in program delivery.”
The election process will take place in selected Local Administrative Areas (LAAs), which serve as the electoral districts for FSA county committees. These areas may cover a single county or multiple counties and can also include urban and suburban agricultural communities.
County committee members are elected to represent agricultural producers within their designated areas and contribute to decisions affecting the administration of federal farm programmes. Their responsibilities extend across a broad range of activities, including disaster recovery efforts, conservation initiatives, commodity programmes and price support measures.
The USDA said producers interested in standing for election should first determine whether their Local Administrative Area is scheduled for an election during the current cycle. Information regarding eligibility and election areas is available through local FSA offices.
To qualify for nomination, candidates must participate in or cooperate with a USDA programme and reside within an LAA that is up for election in 2026.
The agency clarified that a cooperating producer is not limited to those who have received federal assistance. Individuals who have provided information regarding their farming or ranching operations to the FSA may also qualify, even if they have not applied for or received programme benefits.
The nomination process allows for broad participation. Eligible producers may nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual. Qualifying organisations are also permitted to submit nominations on behalf of candidates.
USDA officials are encouraging all eligible agricultural producers to engage in the election process, whether by nominating candidates, casting votes or serving on county committees.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 members of the agricultural community currently serve on FSA county committees. The committees vary in size, typically consisting of between three and 11 members who each serve three-year terms.
Their work extends beyond programme administration. Committee members also help make decisions related to county office employment and address a variety of local agricultural matters affecting producers within their jurisdictions.
The county committee structure has long been regarded as one of the USDA’s primary mechanisms for incorporating local agricultural knowledge into federal programme delivery. By relying on elected producers to help guide decision-making, the agency seeks to ensure programmes remain responsive to the needs of farming and ranching communities across the country.
With nominations now open, USDA officials are calling on producers to consider taking an active role in shaping agricultural policy implementation at the local level. The agency said strong participation in the election process will help ensure farmers and ranchers continue to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their operations and communities.
