Listening session for NMI farmers, ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency is inviting the Commonwealth’s farmers and ranchers to a listening session designed to give information to the farmers about FSA Programs, primarily the County Committee Structure.
The session is also intended to receive feedback from the farmers on how FSA Programs can be effectively delivered.
The USDA Farm Service Agency’s County Committee can change the way a federal program is run. It’s a chance for local farmers and ranchers to work with the agency and make real improvements.
“The focus of this listening session will be on the proposed County Committee structure. Committee members, consisting of farmers and ranchers, help deliver FSA programs in their local farming communities,” said Guam FSA County executive director Thomas Camacho. “County Committee’s are composed of three to five elected members from local administrative areas, each member serving a three-year term.”
USDA said it is committed to increasing the participation of all farmers and ranchers on the FSA County Committees, with an emphasis on socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, a group including African Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, other minorities, and women.
“County Committee’s play a vital role in shaping FSA programs for the farmers and ranchers in our area. We are encouraging everyone to attend,” Camacho said.
The session will be held on the following dates:
* Saipan, Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Kagman Community Center, Kagman, Saipan, starting promptly at 10:30am
* Rota , Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the NMC CREES Building, Tatachog, Rota starting promptly at 1:30pm.
More information is available from the Guam USDA Service Center (671) 472-7269 or online at www.fsa.usda.gov.