Hawaii and Pacific Basin Producers Have Until Aug. 2 to Submit FSA County Committee Nominations

Honolulu, Hawaii, July 15, 2021 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages all farmers, ranchers, and FSA program participants to take part in the Hawaii and Pacific Basin County Committee election nomination process.

FSA’s county committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs.

Committees are comprised of locally elected agricultural producers responsible for the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties. Committee members are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. If elected, members become part of a local decision making and farm program delivery process.

A county committee is composed of three to 11 elected members from local administrative areas (LAA). Each member serves a three-year term. One-third of the seats on these committees are open for election each year. To be eligible for nomination and hold office as a committee member or alternate, a person must fulfill each of the following requirements: (1) be a producer with an interest in farming or ranching operations, (2) participate or cooperate in any FSA program provided for by law, (3) be a U.S. citizen, (4) be of legal voting age, (5) meet the basic eligibility requirements, and (6) reside in the county or multi-county jurisdiction in which they will be serving.

County committees may have an appointed advisor to further represent the local interests of underserved farmers and ranchers. Underserved producers are beginning, women and other minority farmers and ranchers and landowners and/or operators who have limited resources.

All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by Aug. 2, 2021. For more information on FSA county committee elections and appointments, refer to the FSA fact sheet: Eligibility to Vote and Hold Office as a COC Member available online at: fsa.usda.gov/elections.

This year, nominations and elections will be held in the following Hawaii Counties and Guam County LAAs:

Hawaii County LAA 2 - Farm/ranch land located in the Kona and Mauna Kea districts, tax map key zones 5,6,7 and 8.

Honolulu County LAA 2 - Farm/ranch land located on the Windward side of the island. Starting from the North tip of the island from Turtle Bay/Kahuku. It includes the communities of Laie, Kahuku, Hauula, Punaluu, Waiahole-Waikane, and Waimanalo.

Kauai County LAA 3 – Farm/ranch land located in areas known as Anahola, Aliomanu, Papaa, Moloaa and all of the Hanalei District / zone. 

Maui County LAA 1- Farm/ranch land located north, northwest, and northeast of Kuihelani Hwy., Hana Hwy., Haleakala Hwy and Kekaulike Ave.  It includes the communities of Hana, Keanae, Haiku, Makawao, Paia, Kahului, Wailuku, Kahakuloa, and Lahaina.

For more information about county committees, please contact your local county office or visit fsa.usda.gov/elections 

• County Committee Elections
• Eligibility To Vote and Hold Office as a County Committee Member Fact Sheet
• County Committee Elections Fact Sheet
• Nomination Form for County FSA Committee Election