Farm Service Agency County Committees
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Farm Service Agency County Committees (FSA County Committees) are locally elected bodies that play a critical role in the administration of federal farm programs. They make decisions on the ground to ensure these programs meet the needs of local farmers and reflect the unique agricultural landscape of each county.
Mission
FSA County Committees work to administer federal farm programs in a way that is responsive to local agricultural conditions. Their mission includes making informed decisions on disaster assistance, conservation programs, commodity price support, and loan programs, ensuring these initiatives are tailored to local needs and effectively support the farming community.[1]
Parent organization
The FSA County Committees are part of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which is an agency within the Department of Agriculture (USDA). FSA is responsible for delivering farm programs to America's farmers and ranchers.[2]
Legislation
The establishment of county committees was authorized under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, which aimed at providing support to farmers through various programs.[3]
Partners
- Local agricultural producers
- State FSA offices
- Other USDA agencies like the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- Local government entities involved in agriculture[4]
Number of employees
Each FSA County Committee typically consists of 3 to 11 members, depending on the size of the county and the agricultural community it serves. These are not employees but elected or appointed individuals.
Organization structure
Members are elected by local producers who participate in FSA programs. Each committee includes representatives from different agricultural sectors within the county.
Leader
A Chairperson leads the committee, elected by its members to manage meetings and represent the committee externally.
Divisions
No formal divisions exist; however, committees might organize around specific program areas like:
- Conservation
- Commodity support
- Loan programs
List of programs
- Administration of farm commodity, conservation, and disaster assistance programs
- Making decisions on local emergency measures and program eligibility
- Overseeing the distribution of farm loans and grants
Last total enacted budget
The budget for individual county committees isn't specified; they operate within the broader FSA budget framework, which is part of USDA's annual appropriation.
Staff
FSA County Committee members do not receive salaries but may have FSA staff support in their administrative duties.
Funding
Funding for the operations of county committees comes from the overall budget of the FSA, which is allocated by Congress.
Services provided
They provide local governance of federal agricultural programs, ensuring these programs are adapted to local conditions, deciding on program eligibility, and offering direct support to farmers.
Regulations overseen
While not directly overseeing regulations, they administer programs according to federal regulations, making local decisions that interpret these rules for the benefit of local agriculture.
Headquarters address
1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250, United States
History
Since the passage of the Agricultural Adjustment Act in 1938, FSA County Committees have been an integral part of the USDA's efforts to provide direct, localized support to America's farmers, evolving to address new agricultural challenges and opportunities.[5]
External links
References
- ↑ USDA Farm Service Agency. "County Committees". USDA FSA, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/county-operations/county-committees/index (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ USDA Farm Service Agency. "About FSA". USDA FSA, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/about-fsa/index (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ USDA Farm Service Agency. "History of FSA". USDA FSA, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/about-fsa/history-and-mission/index (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ USDA Farm Service Agency. "County Committees". USDA FSA, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/county-operations/county-committees/index (accessed February 8, 2025).
- ↑ USDA Farm Service Agency. "History of FSA". USDA FSA, https://www.fsa.usda.gov/about-fsa/history-and-mission/index (accessed February 8, 2025).