Henrico man elected to Four Rivers Farm Service Agency

, and Citizen Staff Reports

December 25, 2018 . 9:27 PM

2 min read

The Four Rivers Farm Service Agency announced that Christopher Applewhite of Henrico and Paul Davis of New Kent were elected to represent their local administrative areas during the recent county committee election.

Jill Cruz of New Kent will serve as the first alternate for the New Kent area.

The newly elected members will take office next month.

Every FSA office falls under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is served by a county committee composed of local farmers, ranchers and foresters who are elected by local producers. Nearly 7,800 FSA county committee members serve FSA offices nationwide. Each committee has three to 11 elected members who serve three-year terms of office.

County committee members impact producers through their decision making and help shape the culture of a local FSA office. They also ensure the fair and equitable administration of FSA farm programs in their counties and are accountable to the Secretary of Agriculture. Members conduct hearings and reviews as requested by the state committee, ensure underserved farmers, ranchers and foresters are fairly represented, make recommendations to the state committee on existing programs, monitor changes in farm programs and inform farmers of the purpose and provisions of FSA programs. They also assist with outreach and inform underserved producers such as beginning farmers, ranchers and foresters, about FSA opportunities.

County committee members also apply their knowledge and judgment to help FSA make important decisions on its commodity support programs, conservation programs, indemnity and disaster programs, emergency programs and eligibility.

"County Committee members are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA,” said County Executive Director Ashlee Dalton. "They help deliver programs at the county level and work to serve the needs of local producers."

For details, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections or contact the Four Rivers FSA office at 804-932-4376.