Farmers, ranchers and eligible landowners in Clay County have an opportunity this summer to help shape local agricultural programs by participating in the 2026 Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee elections.
Nationwide, more than 7,700 members of the agricultural community serve on Farm Service Agency county committees. These locally elected farmers and ranchers help administer FSA programs and provide input on issues affecting agriculture in their communities.
Committee members assist with a variety of responsibilities, including reviewing disaster assistance requests, helping oversee local program implementation, making recommendations to the state committee and informing farmers and ranchers about FSA programs and regulations. Committee members may also conduct hearings and reviews at the request of the state committee and support community outreach efforts.
Each county committee consists of a chairperson, vice chairperson and voting member, along with a minority non-voting advisor and, when applicable, an appointed socially disadvantaged voting member.
Members serve threeyear terms and may serve up to nine consecutive years. Committees typically meet once each month, with meetings lasting two to three hours. Additional conference calls may be held when needed. Members receive a stipend for their time as well as reimbursement for travel expenses.
To be eligible to serve as a county committee member or alternate, a person must own or operate a farm or ranch, participate or cooperate in an FSA program, be a U.S. citizen, be of legal voting age, meet all basic eligibility requirements and reside within the county or multi-county jurisdiction they would represent.
The Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages eligible farmers, ranchers and landowners to participate in this year’s Local Administrative Area (LAA) elections.
Eligible producers may nominate themselves or another qualified individual within their Local Administrative Area (LAA).
2026 FSA COUNTY COMMITTEE ELECTION SCHEDULE • June 15: Nomination period opens.
• Aug. 3: Deadline to submit nomination forms to the local USDA Service Center.
• Early November: Ballots mailed to eligible voters.
• Dec. 7: Deadline for voted ballots to be returned to the USDA Service Center.
• Jan. 1, 2027: Newly elected committee members take office.
For more information, including determining your Local Administrative Area, contact the Clay Center USDA Service Center at 402-762-3521 or visit fsa. usda.gov/elections.
