The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the nomination period for local Farm Service Agency county committees began June 15.

To be eligible, a person must participate or cooperate in an agency administered program, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and live in the administrative area where they are nominated.

To become a candidate, sign an FSA-669A nomination form, available at fsa.usda.gov/elections. They must be received or postmarked before close of business Aug. 3.

FSA will mail ballots to voters beginning Nov. 9. Ballots will be due to the local office by Dec. 7.