(Above): On top of Bell Mountain in Hiawassee, Georgia. Photo taken by Irenee Payne.
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Swinging Bridge in Suches, Georgia. Photo taken by Irenee Payne.
Sunset from The Summit in Blairsville, Georgia. Photo taken by Irenee Payne.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District, including Fannin, Rabun, Towns and Union Counties, is a legal subdivision of State Government. Since October 19, 1951 the District has provided an organization which can legally make the most effective use of technical assistance, funds appropriated and contributions made for the conservation of our natural resources.
The District board continues its leadership role in conservation education. As always, the District's most important educational activity is sponsoring students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW). The Board solicits sponsors for students and provided bus transportation to and from the Workshop. The Board also feels it is important that lawmakers be shown Conservation Practices and that a discussion of conservation issues be held. Conservation Tours and discussions with federal and state lawmakers are held to further advance the goals of the District and conservation. Many programs are held in local schools and at colleges. Several programs are given at civic, social and church functions. An area of education of great importance to the District is of self education.
news
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN CONSERVATION DISTRICT NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR PHOTO CONTEST
Blairesville, GA, April 21, 2025—The Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), a local agency dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of the area’s natural resources, is now accepting entries for their Photo Contest for individuals located within the District’s service area. The service area includes Fannin, Union, Towns and Rabun Counties. Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating young people and the community about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.
The annual Photo Contest provides amateur photographers, of all ages, the chance to have their photograph selected to advance on to the state contest. Prizes will be awarded for the top three winners. Each photographer is allowed to enter up to five photos that fit into one of four categories: Conservation Practices, Close-up Conservation, Conservation in Action, and Agriculture and Conservation Across Georgia. The deadline to enter the contest is June 07, 2025.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that directs natural resource management programs in Fannin, Union, Towns and Rabun Counties. The Conservation District works with farmers, landowners, and with other units of government to educate and actively promote programs and practices that support the conservation, and use and development of soil, water, and related resources. More information can be found at www.gacd.us/blueridgemountain.
events
supervisors
Damon Davenport, Fannin County
Damon Davenport has been a supervisor since 2010. He has been involved with cattle farming and timber harvesting and serves on the board to continue to work with those issues.
Ann Stanley, Fannin County
Ann Stanley has been a supervisor since 2019. She became a supervisor after her husband, Richard Stanley, was a supervisor for 30 years and she hopes to continue his work.
Mickey Cummings, Union County, Chairman
Mickey was exposed to farming at a young age. His grandfather had a 300 acre farm that Mickey spent his summers and extra time on. Mickey learned how to grow vegetables, sweet sorghum, and other produce. The farm produced cotton, several row crops, beef, and poultry. He learned the importance of soil and water conservation with the use of contour farming, terracing, and waterway usage. Mickey soon learned that he wanted to do his part in conservation and began college at the University of Georgia earning a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture as a Specialist in Soil and Water Conservation. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University. During college, Mickey learned the importance and relationship between soil and water. He implemented his knowledge as an Extension Agent with UGA. He worked as an Extension Agent throughout 34 years in Wilkes, Franklin, Dade, and Union Counties. During his time as an Extension Agent, Mickey was responsible for on-farm research for vegetables, row crops, and forestry. He also conducted variety trials with sorghum. He was involved in the research for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid insect that was introduced to the United States from Asia which has devastated the Hemlock population across the country. Mickey has served as President of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. He has also served on the Blue Ridge Mountain EMC Board. Mickey currently serves as the President of the Union County Historical Society and is on the Farm Bureau Board of Directors. Mickey has lived his grandfather’s words, ”Take care of all natural resources, whether it be wildlife, forestry, soil and water, or whatever.”. Mickey is excited to share his expertise with the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD.
Cody Graham, Union County
Cody is a second generation farmer who works alongside his father-in-law and business partner of B&B Farms. B&B Farms is a stocker cattle operation processing over 1,000 head of cattle every year for the beef industry. Together they farm approximately 500 acres of pastures and hay fields. In addition to beef cattle, the farm produces its own supply of hay. With so many cattle moving through the farm, it is necessary to implement soil and water conservation practices to maintain a successful operation.
To maintain optimal hay and grazing pastures, fields are terraced to control water erosion. Low lying areas in the pastures use pipes and drains to keep the areas well drained. Stream bank restoration has been implemented for washed out banks as needed. Automatic drinkers are utilized in some of the pastures with no running water. Fences have been installed to assist with rotational grazing. The farm has installed both gravel and concrete pads to manage heavy use areas, specifically for feeding time. Nutrient management is a big part of managing the soil and hay production. To maximize hay production, the farm uses no-till drilling to reseed the pastures as needed. The farm takes yearly soil samples to optimize hay and grazing production. In addition to maintaining the soil and water, it is necessary to manage the wildlife on the farm to protect the cattle.
Cody’s family enjoys helping around the farm and caring for their small flock of chickens that provide eggs for the family. He is instilling the love of farming and agriculture in his family. Everything done on the farm is teaching them how to care for natural resources and how to run the farm and family business. Cody previously worked 6 years with the University of Georgia’s Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville, GA. Cody looks forward to sharing his knowledge about the cattle and hay industry with the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD and other farmers in the community.
Virginia Palmer, Towns County
Virginia Palmer has been a supervisor since 1995. She is concerned with erosion control, water quality and education initiatives.
Frank Riley, Towns County
Riley grew up on a farm in Taylor County, Georgia and learned the importance of taking care of the land at an early age. The 650-acre farm produced hay providing local farmers and surrounding counties as well as their own livestock and also grew soybeans. Riley is a third-generation farmer who also lives on his 170 acre farm in Hiawassee, Ga that has been in the family since 1854. He currently produces flowers and vegetables in two high tunnels that were installed through Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program. He also grows sweet corn and sweet sorghum. Riley and his family have used many types of conservation practices on the farms; no-till drill, pollinator strips,and buffer strips. Riley has a Forestry Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia and an MBA from the University of Georgia. Riley has been involved in the forestry industry for 52 years. He is the Executive Director of the Chestatee-Chattahoochee Resource Conservation and Development Council. He created the Appalachian RC&D FAC Coalition which runs the Firewise and Fire Adapted Program in four states. He has served as the interim director for the Georgia Forestry Association and is a member of the FFA Foundation Sponsor Board. Riley travels the country continually learning about new ways to implement fire safety and then teaches others what he learns through workshops and hands-on training. He looks forward to sharing his experience and knowledge with the district and community.
Wayne Swanson, Rabun County
The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission appointed Wayne Swanson in February 2022 to represent Rabun County on the Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. He will serve the Conservation District for a two-year term.
Mr. Swanson grew up on a dairy farm in Walker County, Georgia and moved to Rabun County in 1989 where he started a beef cattle operation. He is a retired landscaper and it was through that occupation that his interest in conservation began due to his involvement in erosion and sediment control and irrigation management.
He also serves on the Rabun County Farm Bureau board and is President of the Rabun County Fair Association. He and his wife Malivia reside in Rabun Gap.
Joseph Chastain, Rabun County Supervisor
Joseph Chastain, Rabun County
Joseph Chastain is now the 3rd generation to work the land. Over the years, the farm raised and supplied chickens, corn, hogs, cows, and hay. The farm currently focuses on a cow calf operation raising Limousin Beef for local consumers. Chastain raises enough hay to feed his cattle and donkeys that protect his cattle as well as provide hay for surrounding farmers.
Chastain makes use of many conservation practices on the farm. With his Forestry Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), he closely watches the wooded areas on the farm. He supports wildlife management and provides wildlife habitat with debris piles for local wildlife, such as wild turkey, fox, as well as various birds that nest there. The Chastain family placed the land in a conservation easement many years ago to pass down to future generations.
Chastain is a member of the Rabun County Farm Bureau and the National Cattlemen’s Association. He is working with his family to instill the love of the land and to teach them how to take care of the land, because if the land is not taken care of, there won’t be anything to pass to future generations. We will never get it back once it is lost. Chastain is excited to work with the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD and to share his knowledge with the communities in the district.
District Projects and Events
The District Supervisors work in coordination with local, state and federal agencies, and other organizations to educate the public at field days and tours. These not only educate in new methodologies, but create a greater awareness of our environment.
Sponsored tours and demonstrations in conservation, and conservation practices including EQIP and other NRCS programs, and 319 Water Quality Projects.
Promote conservation farming in an effort to reduce erosion on cropland within the District.
Assisted in the implementation of the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Certification Program and encourage county commissioners to enforce their ordinances.
Continue to encourage watershed sponsors to perform O&M inspections and carry out needed maintenance on all completed flood control structures.
Urged landowners to join in a partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.
Inform cooperators of assistance available through NRCS and GA Forestry Commission.
Promote improvement of water quality by working with counties to stabilize road banks, standardizing proper seeding procedures, and working with major utilities to notify of violations of good conservation practices on their rights-of-way.
Distributed educational material, Soil & Water Stewardship material throughout the District.
Work with curriculum directors and teachers to see that beneficial material is incorporated in the schools for a good Conservation Program.
Produced news articles through NRCS field office and GSWCC Regional Office.
District works with community clubs, other government agencies, organizations, churches, schools, etc., to promote the sound conservation of our natural resources.
The Supervisors support Regional Competition for the Georgia Envirothon.
Students were sponsored to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop by the District at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Promoted and sponsored E&SC programs to encourage local communities to enforce their ordinances. Held workshops to educate in the E&S rules and regulations.
Sponsored a Conservation Tour in July
district services
Feral Swine Control
No-Till Drill
meeting information
The Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District meets the third Friday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center, 165 Wellborn St., Blairsville, GA 30512.