The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) began accepting nominations for county committee members on June 15.

Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2021 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 2, 2021.

“We need enthusiastic, diverse leaders to serve other agricultural producers locally on FSA County Committees,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Just as our nation’s agriculture industry is diverse from coast to coast, so are the viewpoints and experiences that you can represent on your local committee. Now’s your time to step up and truly make an impact on how federal programs are administered at the local level to reach all producers fairly and equitably.”

Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in a USDA program, and reside in the LAA that is up for election this year, may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers or ranchers to nominate, vote, and hold office.

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serving on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.

LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. This may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

Urban and Suburban County Committees

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to form urban county committees as well as make other advancements related to urban agriculture, including the establishment of the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. FSA established county committees specifically focused on urban agriculture. The urban county committees will work to encourage and promote urban, indoor and other emerging agricultural production practices. Additionally, the new county committees may address areas such as food access, community engagement, support of local activities to promote and encourage community compost and food waste reduction.

Urban committee members are nominated and elected to serve by local urban producers in the same jurisdiction. These members are a vital link in the effective administration of USDA programs and are responsible for carrying out programs in full accordance with the regulations, national and state policies, procedures, and instructions. Urban county committee members will provide outreach to ensure urban producers understand USDA programs and serve as the voice of other urban producers and assist in program implementation that supports the needs of the growing urban community.  Urban county committees must see that county office operations are supportive and that they receive timely and quality service by carrying out responsibilities effectively, efficiently, and impartially. Learn more at farmers.gov/urban.

More Information

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election. They should check with their local USDA Service Center to see if their LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A nomination form or an FSA-669-A-3 for urban county committees. The form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 1, 2021. To find your local USDA Service Center, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

The Indiana State Police began a homicide investigation following an early morning shooting in rural Jefferson County, Indiana.

Shortly after 4:00 am this morning, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call stating that shots were fired at a residence in the 8000 Block of North John Deere Road near Dupont, Indiana. 

Deputies responded to the address and located an adult male, who had sustained a gunshot wound, lying in the yard of the residence. 

The male was soon pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Indiana State Police Investigators were soon requested to lead the investigation. 

The initial investigation indicates that an altercation at the residence led to shots being fired.  The deceased male was shot at least one time and died as a result of injuries he sustained. 

The victim has been identified, however, his identity is being held pending notification of the family.

At this time, no arrests have been made. 

Detectives believe the incident was not random and do not believe there is a threat to the general public at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and active at this time.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post (812) 689-5000. 

The Indiana State Police has been assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation conducted by Indiana Conservation Officers and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has concluded that the fire at Hoosier Hills Marina was accidental in nature and most likely was caused by an electrical malfunction. 

The fire did an estimated $2.5 million worth of damage.  

Release as of February 19, 2021

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fire that damaged or destroyed twenty-two boats at Hoosier Hills Marina located at Patoka Lake.

At approximately 8:45 a.m., smoke from a boat in the “A” dock was observed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshalls Office. No injuries were reported.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that after the fire started efforts were made by Hoosier Hill Marina staff to put out the fire. 

Two boats were moved from the docks, creating a fire break.

The marina is closed at this time while fire crews continue to monitor for potential hot spots.  Staff from the marina are working to contact the affected boat owners.

Responding agencies included the Celestine Fire Department, Schnellville Fire Department, Dubois Fire Department, Memorial EMS, Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Dubois County Dispatch Center, Indiana State Police, Army Core of Engineers, IDEM and the State Fire Marshals Office.

The Vigo County Coroner’s Office has identified the individual that was discovered in the body of water on June 19, 2021, in southern Vigo County. 

The individual has been positively identified as Richard M. Patterson, 32, Terre Haute. 

The family has been notified. 

The Vigo County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death to be drowning.  

The preliminary investigation by Putnamville State Police Post detectives indicates that in the late hours on June 12, 2021, the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department responded to a disabled vehicle on Riley Road. 

Sheriff’s deputies discovered that the vehicle was stolen and that Richard M. Patterson, age 32, of Terre Haute, Indiana, was in possession of the vehicle. 

It was also discovered that Patterson was in possession of stolen articles from a nearby residence. 

Deputies placed Patterson under arrest, handcuffing him and placing him in a patrol car.

While deputies processed the crime scene, Patterson, still handcuffed, escaped from the patrol car. 

The Vigo County Sheriff’s Department along with the assistance of Terre Haute Police K-9s conducted an extensive search and was unable to locate Patterson.  

On June 19, 2021, a local resident observed an object located in a body of water and immediately called 911. 

Emergency personnel then retrieved Patterson’s body from the water.  

The investigation is ongoing.  There is no further information to release at this time.