The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting nominations for the 20th Annual Coles County Farmer of the Year award.

The award is meant to recognize a Coles County resident and farmer whose efforts and achievements in agriculture have benefited the community. Any past or present commodity farming contribution qualifies a farmer to be nominated.

Anyone can nominate a local farmer, said Cindy White, executive director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce.

Nominees will be judged on their overall agricultural contributions to the community, use of innovative farming techniques, willingness to help other farmers and participation in local activities and organizations.

Members of the Coles County Farm Bureau Board of Directors will analyze the nominees’ efforts and achievements and determine the winner.

The name of the winner is kept secret until it is announced during the Red, White and Blue Days celebration on July 3 at Morton Park in Charleston.

White said the only personoutside of the farm bureau and chamber of commerce who knows the winner’s name is a family member or friend of the winner she calls before the event. It is that person’s duty to make sure the winner is present when he or she is named.

“It’s always a surprise for (the winner),” White said.

White said the event is always fun, but that it also serves to recognize the farmers who contribute so much to the community.

“They are kind of silent individuals, but they are such an integral part of the community,” she said.

White’s father and brother both farm, and she said she understands the hard work and dedication it takes to be dedicated to agriculture.

Last year’s winner, Monty Checkley, 73, of Ashmore, began farming while he was still in grade school and retired from agriculture in 2004.

Checkley was nominated by his two daughters, and he said he was very surprised to have won.

“I thought I was going to (the event) to see someone else get nominated,” he said.

Checkley said he was honored to win the award and that he hopes people understand the importance of agriculture.

“Agriculture is what keeps this part of the country going,” he said. “Without it, Charleston would dry up and blow away.”

Nominations must be submitted by 4 p.m. on June 8. For applications or more information, call the Chamber at 345-7041 or go to www.charlestonchamber.com.

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].