The nomination period for the 2008 Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections for Cherokee County closes on Aug. 1, 2008. There is still time to obtain a nomination form (FSA-669A) from your local FSA Office, or online at http://www.fsa.usda. gov.

"If you're a local farmer or agricultural producer in Cherokee County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages you to nominate and make a difference," said Glenn Thomas, FSA County Executive Director.

FSA County Committees give local producers a voice in how the Agency's programs are administered in their communities. They play an important role by making decisions on commodity price support loans and payments; conservation and disaster programs; and other important agricultural issues. Committee members serve three-year terms.

Almost anyone eligible to participate in a local FSA program, and of legal voting age, may be a candidate. Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Nominations will be accepted until Aug. 1, 2008.

Once the slate of nominees is complete, ballots will be mailed out no later than Nov. 3 and must be returned by Dec. 1 to be eligible.

"If you have had an address change or purchased land, please call or come by the office immediately to update our records so that you will receive your ballot in a timely manner," Thomas said.

"It's important that the committee represents all agricultural interests," Thomas said. "The Farm Service Agency works with all farmers and landowners small and large operators, truck farmers, as well as growers of specialty crops."

The Spartanburg/Union/ Cherokee FSA County Committee is divided into three Local Administrative Areas (LAA). Each LAA (county) is represented by one member on the county committee. A person may vote in only one LAA.

Nominating petitions are available at Spartanburg/Union/ Cherokee County FSA Office located at 105 Corporate Drive, Suite G, in Spartanburg, S.C. 29303. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

For more information call 1- 800-735-2796, option 5, then option 2; or (864)-814-2471, extension 2.