USDA Expands Outreach to Native American Farmers for County Committee Elections

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to increase Native American participation in local farm committee elections, with special provisions that recognize tribal land ownership patterns and sovereignty.

More than 7,700 farmers nationwide serve on USDA Farm Service Agency county committees, three- to 11-member boards that help administer disaster assistance, conservation programs and agricultural subsidies. The committees also advise on local office staffing and other farming issues.

For American Indian and Alaska Native citizens, the agency has established distinct rules that account for tribal land structures. Since the 1990s, any member of a federally recognized tribe has been considered an agricultural landowner if their voting eligibility is based on tribally owned land or land held in federal trust for the tribe — even if they don’t personally farm that land.

Tribal leaders and agricultural organizations can nominate candidates for committees serving tribal lands. To qualify, nominees must participate in or cooperate with USDA programs and live in the area up for election.

The agency is collaborating directly with tribal nations to register eligible voters, including a partnership with Montana’s Blackfeet Tribal Business Council to create educational materials featuring the 1.5 million-acre Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Nominations for the 2025 elections begin June 16, with ballots mailing November 3. Newly elected members take office January 1, 2026.

Tribal members 18 and older can register to vote by contacting their local USDA Service Center.

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Wayne Creed

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