(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
Retired District Supervisor and Chairman of the Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District, Rev., Dr. John Kay, was the recipient of the Holman Award for 2024. The evening was celebrated by many friends and family, current District Supervisors, friends from partnering agencies, Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D, NRCS, UGA Extension, and GACD. Congratulations to Dr. Kay on this wonderful recognition!
Pictured: Virginia Palmer, Damon Davenport, Ann Stanley, Current Chairman, Mickey Cummings, Former Chairman, Rev. Dr. John Kay, Bill Enloe, Frank Riley, Michael Wiggins, Wayne Swanson, and Jacob Williams.
Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District Awards Winners of Photo Contest
July 19, 2024, Blairsville, GA: Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating youth and adults about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.
Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offered the Georgia Association of Conservation District’s (GACD) photo contest to all individuals in the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD. Each year, the winning photos reflect and highlight the work of Conservation Districts to protect and enhance natural resources. Each photo fits into a conservation category set by GACD.
Three overall winning photos were chosen from many creative entries. The 3rd place winner was Jennifer Bingham from Hiawassee, GA, winning $50. The 2nd place winner was Thomas Westbrook from Blairsville, winning $75. The 1st place winner was also Jennifer Bingham from Hiawassee, winning $100. Bingham’s 1st place entry will be submitted to the GACD State Photo Contest. The awards were presented at the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD meeting on July 19, 2024 by GACD’s NE Regional Program Manager, Dana Tripp and the Chairman of the Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD Board, Mickey Cummings. GACD and local Conservation Districts encourage Georgia’s residents to practice conservation efforts that benefit Georgia communities.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Union, Towns, Rabun, and Fannin Counties. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, 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.
Pictured: Chairman, Mickey Cummings and 1st and 3rd place winner, Jennifer Bingham.
Pictured:, Chairman, Mickey Cummings and 2nd place winner, Thomas Westbrook.
Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District Awards 2024 Olin Hughes Memorial Scholarship
Blairsville, Georgia – The Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District has awarded the Olin Hughes Memorial Scholarship to Emma McConnell of Union County. She is a Junior attending The University of Georgia pursuing a Major in Animal and Dairy Science and a Minor in Ag Business Management and Food and Fiber Marketing. Emma is a member of the UGA Meat Judging team for 2024. Congratulations, Emma!
The Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Fannin, Rabun, Towns and Union Counties. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, 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.
Pictured: Emma McConnell
GACD Announces State Photo Winner for 2024
“Sweet Southern Sunshine” - State Photo Winner - Jennifer Bingham
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.
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.
Bill Enloe, Rabun County
William A. “Bill” Enloe was elected in November 2020 to represent Rabun County on the Blue Ridge Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District. Mr. Enloe manages Enloe Farms in Dillard where he raises cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, and grows a variety of vegetables. He previously worked for Osage Farm growing cabbage and at the Dillard House where he raised hogs, corn and cattle.
Bill believes in the importance of preserving the legacy of farming through soil and water conservation. Because of this, he has worked with the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Blairsville to plan and develop conservation practices that help protect and conserve natural resources. Practices include heavy use pads, watering areas, and a feeding barn.
Some of his hobbies include hunting, fishing, and running a sawmill for himself and the public. He and his wife Glenda reside in Dillard and have one son and one daughter. He will serve the Conservation District for a four-year term.
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.
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.