A county board may establish a county committee which shall consist of four active farmers, no more than two of whom shall be of the same major political party, and a member of the county board. The committee shall select one of its members to serve as chairman of the county committee. Such a committee shall be established whenever a petition is received by the county board for the creation of an agricultural area pursuant to Section 6, provided that no such county committee has already been established for such county. Members of such county committee shall be appointed by and shall serve at the pleasure of the county appointing authority. The members shall serve without salary, but the county board may entitle each such member to reimbursement for his actual necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties. Such committee shall advise the county board in relation to the proposed establishment, modification, and termination of agricultural areas. The county committee shall render expert advice relating to the desirability of such action, including advice as to the nature of farming and farm resources within the proposed area and the relation of farming in such area to the county as a whole.