GEORGIA FERAL HOG TASK FORCE PARTNERS WITH MIDDLE SOUTH GA SWCD TO HOST FERAL HOG TRAP RENTAL TRAINING

In January 2024, the Georgia Feral Hog Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration between the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and the University of Georgia, announced a new trap rental pilot program with the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). The rental program is open to anyone in the Middle South Georgia SWCD impacted by feral hogs and attends the training workshop. 

The partnering agencies will host a training workshop on October 29, 2024 at the Tifton USDA Service Center located 1468 Carpenter Rd, Tifton, GA. The workshop will be in the morning from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Again, this training workshop is required to be able to rent a trap and is only open to landowners in Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties.

Topics will include wild pig biology, regulations and laws, personal protective equipment and carcass disposal, demonstration on setup and use of the Pig Brig trapping system.

There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited to the first 30 registrants. Pre-registration is required. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events. 

Catoosa County Conservation District is partnering with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) to offer a Level 1A (Blue Card) Initial Certification course on Monday, September 30 at 8:00AM at the Colonnade at 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736. This is an 8 hour state-certified course delivered by GSWCC with a test at the end. Passing score of 70% or greater will earn certification. Certification valid for 3 years. Pre-registration is required to reserve your seat and textbook. Cost includes textbook. Lunch will be provided on-site by Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council. Register before Sep. 22nd.

When constituents talk, the Georgia Legislature listens. You are encouraged to represent your Conservation District at GACD’s annual 2024 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY at the CAPITOL and help deliver our message to elected officials.

By visiting with members of the Legislature, we can mobilize an effective grassroots network when a critical issue is under consideration. Your participation guarantees a powerful action network. Show your support of natural resource stewardship with your presence at the 2024 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Room 123

8:00AM Check- In/ Donuts & Coffee

8:30AM

Welcome and Invocation

Proclamation Presentation

Review of Process for Meetings

Review of Ask

10:15AM     Individual Meetings with Legislators (Scheduled Independently)

11:00AM Gather at Steps in front of Governor Kemp’s Office for a Group Picture

Dismissal

REGISTRATION

Complete the registration form below to confirm your attendance.

Deadline to register is January 24, 2024.

Georgia Feral Hog Task Force Announces Pilot Trap Rental Program and Workshop in Middle-South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District

Atlanta, Ga  – Today, the Georgia Feral Hog Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration between the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and the University of Georgia, announced a new trap rental pilot program will be rolled out at a workshop in Tifton on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The workshop is open to anyone in the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District impacted by feral hogs and interested in renting a PigBrig trap. Attendance at the workshop is required to participate in the trap rental program. The workshop is limited to 35 participants. Additional details below: 

What: A workshop to roll out a new trap rental pilot program. It will cover topics including feral hog behavior and biology, Georgia feral hog hunting/trapping rules and regulations, zoonotic disease concerns, PPE and safe carcass handling, and installation and use of the PigBrig trap. 

Who: Representatives from GDA, USDA, DNR, GACD, and UGA will lead the workshop. Anyone in the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District (Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties) impacted by feral hogs and interested in renting a trap is welcomed to attend; however, participation is limited to 35 attendees and attendance at the workshop is required to participate in the trap rental program. At this time, the program is ONLY available to Georgians in counties listed above, and 

When: 1:00-5:00PM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 

Where: Tift County Extension Office – 1468 Carpenter Road South Tifton, Ga 31793

Trap Rentals: Trap rentals will be $80/month with a $200 deposit and a maximum rental term of 3 months. Trap rentals will become available in the days following the workshop. 

Additional Info: If you have questions or need additional information please contact the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts at info@gacd.us, (833) 411-4223, or online at www.gacd.us .

District Supervisors - join us for the GACD Group 1 Meeting Wednesday, November 1 at 9:00am at Tanyard Creek Overlook - 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA 30101. Event is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Please register at www.gacd.us/events. This event is sponsored by Atlanta Kubota, Cobb EMC, and Cobb County Conservation District.

SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP TO TAKE PLACE IN WASHINGTON COUNTY—Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District and other partners are hosting a Soil Health Workshop on September 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Washington County Ag Center. The workshop is free to attend thanks to Washington County Cattlemen’s Association, who is sponsoring lunch. Registration is required so lunches can be ordered.

Participants will hear from farmers and other specialists (UGA Extension, NRCS, Pine Country RC&D) on topics such as soil analysis, improving and maintaining soil health, Best Demonstrated Practices, how soil quality impacts its water holding capacity, usage of no-till drills to reduce fertilizer needs and grow healthier soils, and a field trip to Turner Farms for demonstrations.

The event would not be possible without sponsors: Washington County Cattlemen’s Association, Washington County Farm Bureau, NRCS, UGA Extension, Pine Country RC&D, and GSWCC. To register, please call 478-387-3125.

About Central Georgia SWCD: Soil & Water Conservation Districts were created by the Georgia General Assembly to protect soil and water resources, following the Dust Bowl of the 1930's. SWCD's provide a way for citizens to set local resource priorities for state & federal assistance programs. Each district is made up of one or more counties and each county typically has one appointed and one elected representative.

Cobb County Conservation District is partnering with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Monarchs Across Georgia to offer an educational workshop about pollinators to the community. All are welcome. There is no cost to attend, but you must register online at www.gacd.us/events. Refreshments will be provided thanks to Cobb County Conservation District. Please join us to learn all about Georgia’s pollinator species such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and more, plus, the ecological benefits of having pollinators around! This free workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 10:30am at the Cobb County Farm Bureau at 2850 Powder Springs Rd., Marietta, Ga 30064. Check-in will open at 10:00am. Workshop will end at noon.

The Catoosa County Conservation District is partnering with the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) to host a Level 1A (Blue Card) Initial Certification Course on Wednesday, July 26, at 8:00 a.m. at The Colonnade at 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA in the White Oak/Barnhardt Rooms. 

Persons involved in land development, construction, planning, permitting, monitoring, inspection, or land-disturbance activities in Georgia must be certified through the GSWCC program in accordance with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

This eight-hour course is presented by the GSWCC and includes a test to obtain Level 1A (blue card) Certification. Certification will be issued to persons scoring 70% or greater on the test. Certification is valid for three years. The registration fee is $125 and includes the course textbook, test, and lunch provided by Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required by July 19 to reserve your textbook. To register, please visit: www.GACD.us/events.

Participants should arrive at 7:45 a.m for check-in and textbook distribution. The course will be from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30pm and will include a lunch break (lunch provided).

The Catoosa County Conservation District is a state government entity that advocates for the stewardship, protection and enhancement of the natural resources of Catoosa County to sustain and improve the quality of life for its citizens. For more information on the district, please visit https://catoosaconservationdistrict.org/.

GACD is partnering with UGA Extension-Gordon County and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide a FREE composting workshop on Tuesday, July 18 at 10:30am at the Gordon County Agriculture Service Center at 1282 GA-53 Spur, Calhoun, GA 30701. Learn how to improve your soil health for your vegetable garden, orchard, or flower beds. Please register at the link below. Workshop will wrap up by noon. Refreshments will be provided. Thank you to our sponsor, Coosa River Conservation District.

OCMULGEE RIVER SWCD PARTNERS WITH GA AGENCIES TO HOST FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP

Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at $150 million. A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in a series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners. 

The partnering agencies will host a workshop and trapping demonstration opportunities on June 20, 2023 in Perry, Ga at the Houston County Extension Building located at 2030 Kings Chapel Rd, Perry, Ga. The workshop will be in the evening from 5:00 to 8:45pm with dinner provided. This workshop is sponsored by the Ocmulgee River Conservation District.

Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question and answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration.

Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.

There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. Additional workshop opportunities will be announced soon. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events. 

GACD and Lower Chattahoochee River SWCD hosting Agriculture Assistance Programs Workshop in Americus

April 17, 2023– The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) and the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to present a free informational workshop for local farmers, producers, and anyone in the agriculture industry who wants to learn more about assistance programs for their agricultural operations. This workshop will discuss Farm Bill programs through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service & Farm Service Agency along with State Conservation programs through the Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission.

The event will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Sumter County Agriculture Center located at 127 William Bowen Pointe, Americus, GA. Dinner will be served. This is a free event but registration is required online at www.gacd.us/events. The Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District is a sponsor of this event.

The Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that directs natural resource management programs in Clay, Lee, Schley, Sumter, Stewart, Randolph, Webster, Terrell and Quitman 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 gacd.us/lowerchattahoocheeriver

REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED.

PINE MOUNTAIN SWCD & GA AGENCIES TO HOST FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP

Buena Vista, GA – Feral swine are a detrimental invasive species in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at $150 million. Agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together to offer a FREE educational workshop for farmers and landowners. 

The workshop will focus on feral swine control methods to address property and crop damage. The free workshop and trapping demonstration will be May 2, 2023 in Buena Vista at the Marion County Middle/High School at 1 Eagle Dr., Buena Vista, Ga. Check-in for the event will be at 5:00pm with dinner provided by Marion County Young Farmers. This workshop is sponsored by Jager Pro Hog Control Systems and hosted by Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District.

Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations with a question and answer panel of experts to follow.

Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.

There is no cost to attend the workshop, but space is limited. Registration is required prior to the event. Register at www.GACD.us/events.