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Nominations sought for farmer committee election
Western Kansas
The upcoming election for the Ford County Farm Service Agency Committee clearly demonstrates the effect of local politics in rural areas.
Joseph M. Gleason, executive director for the Ford County FSA, said the county committee system has been around since the 1930s and represents grassroots democracy at its best. Committee members are local farmers who are nominated and elected by their peers.
"The men and women who make up the committee decide how federal farm programs are implemented locally," Gleason said. "They use their judgment and knowledge to make decisions that shape national programs to fit local needs."
To begin the election process, Gleason says local producers must nominate candidates to run for a seat on the county committee. "You can't have an election without candidates, he said.
Ford County is divided into three local administrative areas, each of which is represented by a seat on the committee. Committee members serve three-year terms, and the terms are staggered so each year local producers vote to fill at least one vacancy.
This year, voters will elect a producer to represent other producers in local administrative area No. 3 which is located from the county line on the south and east and the mile line that divides Ranges 24 and 25 on the west and the Arkansas River on the north.
Hal N. White of Kingsdown has represented producers n LAA 3 since 2000.
"Farm owners, operators, tenants and sharecroppers who are of legal voting age and eligible to participant in any Farm Service Agency program can nominate candidates or be a candidate themselves," said Gleason.
Nomination forms are available at the Farm Service Agency office at 900 West Frontview or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections/.
Date: 6/23/05
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