HALL COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Hall County Conservation District was formed on March 23, 1983. Prior to 1983, Hall County was part of the Upper Chattahoochee River Conservation District. Former District Chairman Rudolph Clark, Supervisor Tom Blackstock, and others foresaw the tremendous growth and changes ahead for Hall County. They believed a district representing just Hall County would be in a better position to meet the needs of a rapidly growing and changing county.
With Hall County progressing into a more urban setting, it is imperative that we maintain the agricultural resources that remain. It is the responsibility of the Hall County Conservation District to educate the community on agriculture and sustainable practices, while preserving the diverse utilization of landscape to enrich our soil and water systems.
Photo by Irenee Payne
news
Hall County Conservation District Offering Feral Swine Control Services
March 13, 2024: 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 over $150 million. Feral swine are one of the greatest invasive species challenges facing Georgia.
The Hall County Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that directs natural resource management programs throughout the county. The Conservation District works with producers, 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.
In order to offer relief to producers and landowners struggling with invasive feral swine, the Conservation District has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout Hall County. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Jordan Dawson at jtdawson28@gmail.com or 706-969-0673.
More information can be found at www.gacd.us/hallcounty.
Events
GA AGENCIES TO HOST FERAL SWINE WORKSHOP AND TRAPPING DEMONSTRATION
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.
Partnering agencies will host a workshop and trapping demonstration on May 22, 2024, at Madison County High School located at 600 Madison Street, Danielsville, GA 30633. The workshop will be in the evening from 5:00 to 8:45pm with dinner provided and is sponsored by the Broad River Conservation District, Hall County Conservation District and Oconee River Conservation District and Madison County Young Farmers and will be hosted by Madison County Young Farmers.
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. More details and registration information are available at www.GACD.us/events.
Supervisors
district partners
Noteworthy Projects
High Tunnel Construction for ag education
Hall County Conservation District works with the Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D to bring necessary farming equipment and seminars to Hall County. On behalf of both organizations, Hall County currently has high tunnels located at Tadmore Elementary, Sugar Hill Elementary, and Myers Elementary School. Myers recently celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony in September 2021. At the ceremony, students presented to parents and faculty on the importance of gardening and what they have learned from working in their high tunnel! The root pouches at Myers Elementary and the raised beds at Sugar Hill Elementary were donated to each respective school on behalf of Hall County Conservation District.
To access Hall County Conservation District’s presentation on tips for using high tunnels, click below.
GACD Pollinator Initiative 2020-2022
In partnership with GACD and Hall County Master Gardeners, Hall County Soil and Water Conservation District has implemented five pollinator garden beds at the Hall County Agricultural Services Building to assist with local education on pollinators and native plant species. The beds consist of native wildflower and grass seeds and will be used in Master Gardener and 4-H classes in the future.
EDUCATION MATERIALS
In 2020 and 2021, the Conservation District partnered with Hall County Farm Bureau to create “Ag Grab Bags” that are available in all 20 elementary schools in Hall County. To access the worksheets provided on behalf of the District, please click below.
WATERSHED CLEANUPS
On Saturday, February 27, 2021, Hall County Soil & Water Conservation District hosted a cleanup along Lake Lanier at Longwood Park. The District partnered with Keep Hall Beautiful and the Chattahoochee River Keepers. The three organizations brought in 30 participants and collected 740 pounds of trash!
ANNUAL FERAL SWINE SURVEY
In 2020, the District recently conducted a survey on feral swine activity in Hall County to address the need for further eradication efforts. The survey results are below.
Endangered species workshop
On September 23, 2019, Hall County Conservation District held an Endangered Species Workshop at Elachee Nature Preserve. The workshop included information on conservation programs in agriculture, endangered wetland species, human activity on coastal ecosystems, invasive plant species, and the endangered species of the longleaf pine ecosystem. Speakers included Linda May of DNR, Mark Mandica of the Amphibian Foundation, Louise McPherson of NRCS, and Lauren Gingerella of the North American Land Trust. The event was sponsored by Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D.
NUISANCE WILDLIFE & VEGETATION SEMINAR
On November 27, 2018, Hall County Conservation District held a seminar at Riverside Military Academy on Nuisance Wildlife and Vegetation. Speakers included Lynne Womack with Georgia Forestry Commission, Michael Foster with UGA Extension, Dr. Gino D’Angelo with the University of Georgia, and Matt Ondovchik with USDA Wildlife Services. The event was sponsored by Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D. Topics covered at the seminar included invasive plant and insect species of Georgia, backyard nuisance wildlife, white-tailed deer management, and feral swine management.
Native medicinal botany guided walk and seminar
On July 21, 2018, Hall County Conservation District, arranged a Native Medicinal Botany Guided Walk & Seminar at Linwood Nature Preserve. Speakers included Margaret Rasmussen, the Executive Director of The Redbud Project Chapter of the Georgia Native Plant Society; Pam Eakins of the Ladies Homestead Gathering here in Hall County; and Karin Hicks of the Georgia Native Plant Society. The morning included a history of the native flora of the Gainesville Ridges, a presentation on making tinctures, and presentations/guided walk on plant identification.
pond management seminar
In August 2018, sponsored by Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D, UGA Extension, DNR, NRCS, and Hall County and Upper Chattahoochee Conservation Districts arranged a Pond Management Seminar at Lake Laceola, nestled in a mountain community near the heart of Cleveland, Georgia. Speakers included Steven Patrick of UGA Extension, Chris Looney of Georgia DNR, and Chelsea Cutler of NRCS. People in attendance learned about water quality maintenance and the removal of invasive species, and those in attendance were able to see a pond shocking demonstration from DNR.
Hall County Conservation District put together a similar seminar at Eagle Ranch in Flowery Branch, GA in October 2018, and 6th-9th grade students were able to participate in the event.
Local Ag Days
Twice a year, Hall County Conservation District works with Hall County Extension and Hall County NRCS to participate in Ag Day at varying local schools in Hall County. In September 2019, Hall County Conservation District presented on soil health and sustainability to students at Centennial Arts Academy.
Assisting neighboring districts
Hall County Conservation District works closely with neighboring districts to promote outreach and education throughout Northeast Georgia. Our District partners with the Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District to educate students on freshwater invertebrates and their ecosystems, as well as pollution prevention.
other district projects and events
district services
Feral Swine Control
No-Till Drill
through Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D
District Gallery
Monthly Meeting Information
Hall County Conservation District meets on the second Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise stated, at 9 AM in the Conference Room in the Hall County Agricultural Service Center Building at 734 East Crescent Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501.
