Cotton producers in the Northern High Plains Boll Weevil Eradication Zone have until Sept. 9 to nominate themselves for the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation's statewide board of directors.

The deadline comes as cotton farmers and landowners who farmed cotton in 2008 are set to decide in an Oct. 9 referendum whether a boll weevil eradication program should continue in the Northern High Plains Zone.

Cotton producers who farm in the zone and who have grown cotton for at least seven years may run for the board member position. Those wishing to be placed on the ballot must fill out a nomination form along with a biographical information sheet. In addition, the signatures of at least 10 other eligible cotton growers in the zone must support the nomination.

Producers can mail the form to the Texas Department of Agriculture at P.O. Box 12847, Austin, Texas, 78711 or fax the form to (800) 835-2981. The nomination must be received on or before September 9.

Nomination forms are available at local county extension service offices and the Texas Department of Agriculture in Austin at (512) 463-3285.

The Northern High Plains Eradication Zone consists of all of Swisher and Hale counties; that part of Randall County that lies south and east of a line running along Highway 60 from the Deaf Smith County line east to Interstate 27, then running north along Interstate 27 to the Potter County line; the part of Armstrong County that lies west and south of a line running along FM 294 from the Carson County line to Highway 287; then running due south to Mulberry Creek; and east along Mulberry Creek to the Donley County line; the part of Briscoe County that lies west of a line running along Hackberry Creek from its intersection with the Armstrong County line to its intersection with the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River; continuing south along Cherokee Creek from its intersection with the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River to County Road 27; continuing south along County Road 27 to Highway 256; continuing west along Highway 256 to the Caprock escarpment; and continuing south along the Caprock escarpment to the Floyd County line; and the part of Floyd County that lies south and west of a line running along FM 97 beginning at the Motley County line; continuing west to the Caprock escarpment; and continuing north along the Caprock escarpment to the Briscoe County line.