UFA Update   - Special Action Alert

UFA Action Alert:
Fishermen Needed for USDA FSA County Committees

Salmon fishermen who applied for USDA TAA are eligible to serve and help guide USDA programs in Alaska. Deadline for nominations is August 1, 2006.

UFA and the Governor’s administration have been working in Washington DC to gain access for fishermen as producers in USDA programs on par with fish farmers. For FSA programs for Alaska fishermen to be administered to best meet the needs of fishermen, FISHERMEN NEED TO SERVE ON THE FSA COUNTY COMMITTEES THAT GUIDE THESE PROGRAMS.

USDA programs, such as Farm Service Loans at 3.5%, are implemented with input from the local FSA County Committees. UFA at-large board representative Chip Treinen has represented fishermen on the Anchorage County Committee, and now other fishermen are needed to help guide USDA programs in Alaska.

FSA County Committees are paid for their time served and reimbursed for travel. Committees meet no more than once a month, often less depending on programs.
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The deadline to get your name on the Farm Service Agency County Committee election ballot is August 1, 2006.

The FSA administrative boundaries have changed, with two “counties” each divided into five Local Administrative Areas – for a total of ten committee seats.
The length of terms of each elected COC member will be staggered from 1 to 3 years to begin the annual election process for the county. At least two (2) nominees will be needed from each LAA to complete the ballot.

The Southern County includes Local Administration Areas:
1. Kodiak, Alaska Peninsula, Aleutians, Bristol Bay, Dillingham, Bethel, Wade Hampton
2. Kenai Peninsula
3. Matanuska – Susitina
4. Anchorage, Valdez, Cordova area south of Chugach Mtns.
5. Southeast, including Yakutat

The Northern County includes LAAs:
1. Nome, Northwest, North Slope
2. Yukon – Kuyokuk, Denali
3. Fairbanks & North Star Borough
4. East of Anchorage, north of Chugach Mtns.
5. Southeast Fairbanks & eastward

Nomination forms are available through the UFA office, or by calling or visiting the following FSA County Service Centers:

Northern County FSA Service Center
Lloyd Wilhelm - County Executive Director
Farm Service Agency
Northern County Service Center
PO Box 585
Delta Junction, AK 99737
Phone: 907-895-4242 Ext. 2
Fax: 907-895-5003
Toll-Free #: 1-866-872-3320

Southern County FSA Service Center
Lloyd Wilhelm - Acting County Executive Director
Farm Service Agency
Southern County Service Center
800 West Evergreen, Suite 216
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907-761-7754
Fax: 907-761-7789
Toll-Free #: 1-866-872-3320

Nomination period begins June 15, 2006 and ends August 1, 2006. Ballots will be mailed by November 3, 2006, and the last day to return voted ballots to your USDA Service Center is December 4, 2006

For more information see the Alaska Farm Service Agency Website at:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/AK/