The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking nominations from farmers and ranchers interested in helping oversee the local administration of federal farm programs, opening the annual election process for county committees that serve as a key link between agricultural producers and the federal government.
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced this week that nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 county committee elections. Eligible producers have until Aug. 3 to submit nomination forms to their local USDA Service Center.
The committees, which operate in counties and multi-county jurisdictions nationwide, play a significant role in determining how federal agricultural programs are implemented at the local level. Their responsibilities include providing oversight and guidance on disaster assistance, conservation initiatives, commodity programs and price support efforts, as well as advising on county office operations and employment matters.
“Local voices matter, and agricultural producers play an important role in shaping how federal farm programs serve their communities,” Farm Service Agency Administrator Bill Beam said in a statement announcing the nomination period. “Producers have an opportunity to put farmers first by ensuring local farmers and ranchers have a voice in program delivery.”
More than 7,700 agricultural producers currently serve on county committees across the country. Committee members are elected to three-year terms, with each committee consisting of three to 11 members depending on the size and needs of the jurisdiction.
The elections are conducted within Local Administrative Areas, or LAAs, geographic districts established by the Farm Service Agency for committee representation. Some LAAs encompass traditional rural farming communities, while others are centered in urban or suburban areas where agricultural production remains active.
To qualify as a candidate, individuals must participate or cooperate in a USDA program and reside within an LAA scheduled for election this year. USDA defines a cooperating producer as someone who has provided information about a farming or ranching operation to the agency, regardless of whether that producer has received federal program benefits.
Candidates may nominate themselves, be nominated by fellow producers or receive nominations from eligible organizations.
The county committee system has long served as one of USDA’s primary mechanisms for incorporating local input into federal agricultural policy implementation. Committee members often provide firsthand perspectives on regional production challenges, weather-related disasters and conservation priorities, helping shape decisions that affect producers in their communities.
Farmers and ranchers interested in serving can determine whether their Local Administrative Area is up for election by contacting their local Farm Service Agency office. Nomination forms and additional election information are available at fsa.usda.gov/coc.
Ballots for the 2026 elections will be mailed to eligible voters in November.
