GACD is pleased to present our Star DPA Award Recipient for Spring 2020, Lystashia Watkins, serving the Ocmulgee River Conservation District and the Fort Valley USDA-NRCS office! This award is dedicated to a DPA that has stood out in exemplary support of their districts, agency partners, and community.
Lystashia has been working as a District Program Assistant in the Fort Valley NRCS office since March of 2018, making her one of GACD’s longest serving DPAs. “Lystashia displays a positive attitude when working with customers, coworkers, and partners of the agency. She is always timely for work and completes all tasks required for the position. Recently she took the initiative to read to grade school students at the Heritage Elementary School and Springdale Elementary School (Bibb Co.). We are proud of Lystashia here in Fort Valley!” said Marcus Griffin, District Conservationist, Fort Valley NRCS.
Lystashia has worked hard and represented her district and NRCS well through daily support and administration, helping her fellow DPAs, and also in her outreach efforts. “Lystashia has always been quick to respond to our Ocmulgee District's concerns, and she is passionate in her desire to do the job right,” Ocmulgee River Conservation District Chair, Dr. Lindsay Holliday said. Lystashia has participated in Ag in the Classroom lessons, Stewardship Week activities, Career and Earth Day events, and reads to students. “It was a pleasure educating the students on the importance of the agricultural industry in GA,” Lystashia stated about one of her outreach opportunities.
Lystashia’s heart to serve her communities and students doesn’t end there. She along with seven other DPAs volunteered at the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop in 2019, where she helped as an advisor overseeing a group of girls in learning about natural resources and agriculture.
Michelle Boone, GACD South Georgia Program Manager and Director of the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop said, “Lystashia continues to provide a standard of excellence in support of her NRCS office, district, and GACD. She is quick to volunteer where needed, helps her fellow DPAs, and shows her love for her community through her hard work and efforts. We are blessed to have her as part of our team in South Georgia.”