Hurricane Michael Relief Efforts

Cindy Drew, GA Farm Bureau of Dougherty County & Michelle Boone, GACD Program Manager

In October 2019, Georgia residents were struck with loss of property, crops, and more after Hurricane Michael made its way through our state.  GACD, along with Georgia’s Conservation Districts, began gathering supplies and funds to help our communities hit the hardest by Hurricane Michael.

Districts helped to raise over $4,500 to help with relief efforts.  With these funds GACD staff was able to provide water, food and supplies to five counties in Southwest Georgia.

On December 14, GACD partnered with the Dougherty County Georgia Farm Bureau to provide a Hurricane Michael Relief Program Public Meeting in Albany that provided valuable updates on available disaster assistance programs.  Funds were used to help provide Christmas presents including clothes and toys to children that suffered greatly in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael.

Thank you to the districts and businesses that stepped in to help our communities in their times of need.

Welcome Newly Elected District Supervisors!

Charlotte Stanley-Blue Ridge Mountain

Jennifer Logan-Blue Ridge Mountain

Ted Hughes-Broad River

James Tanner-Central Georgia

Barbara Gibbs-Hodge-Clayton County

Lawrence Kemp-Columbia County

Brian Hart-Coosa River

Carol Hayes-DeKalb County

Jason Ulseth-Fulton County

Vicki Temple-Henry County

Thomas Sappington, III-Lamar County

Billy James-Limestone Valley

Chris Heitmann-Lincoln County

James Dumsmore-Lincoln County

Riley McRee-Lower Chattahoochee River

Wesley Griffin-Middle South Georgia

Blake Reid-Ocmulgee River

John Trapnell-Ogeechee River

Marshall Mosley, III-Ohoopee River

Michael Buckner-Pine Mountain

Kenny Johnson-Rockdale County

Thomas Thrift Sr-Satilla River

For more information on becoming a District Supervisor visit http://www.gacd.us/beingasupervisor/

Conservation Districts Announce Participation in Feral Swine District Initiative

Following an Initiative spearheaded by the Brier Creek Conservation District in partnership with GACD, several Conservation Districts have acquired feral swine control equipment and are contracting with local Hog Control Custodians to eradicate feral swine within the District.

Landowners and producers report that the Feral Swine District Initiative has made a tremendous difference in reducing feral swine damage. Farmers who have been forced to make a decision not to plant peanuts, corn, or soybeans in some of their best soils due to feral swine damage are now considering planting these crops. 

Contact the following participating Conservation Districts for more information about

Feral Swine Control on YOUR land!      

Blue Ridge Mountain: Fannin, Rabun, Towns, Union Counties

Brier Creek: Burke, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Richmond Counties

Ogeechee River: Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans, Screven, Tattnall Counties

Piedmont: Baldwin, Greene, Hancock, Jones, Morgan, Putnam,Taliaferro Counties

GACD Accepting Sponsors and Exhibitors for Annual Meeting

Conservation Districts from across the State of Georgia will be convening on January 18-20, 2019 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort for their Annual Meeting. This meeting is conducted annually by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD— a 501c3 corporation). Conservation Districts and the work they do are vital to the stewardship of our state’s natural resources. In addition to bringing over $95 million in federal funds to the state each year, local Districts complete a wide array of outreach, education and local conservation programs in their communities.

Take this opportunity to support Conservation Districts by becoming a sponsor at the 2019 Annual Meeting. Not only will you be supporting through the non-profit association, but you will be recognized by Georgia’s conservation community as a friend of conservation.

More information at http://www.gacd.us/annualmeeting

GEORGIA AGENCIES PARTNER TO HOST STATEWIDE FERAL SWINE EDUCATION EVENTS

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 last year is estimated at $150 million. A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering together 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 four workshops and trapping demonstrations throughout the state on the following dates:

Blackshear, GA – Tuesday, December 11

Dawsonville, GA – Tuesday, December 18

Quitman, GA – Monday, January 7

Hawkinsville, GA – Tuesday, January 29

Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, GACD feral swine initiatives 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, University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Public Health, and Georgia Farm Bureau.

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

Hurricane Michael Relief

Hurricane Michael has had a devastating effect in Georgia causing widespread destruction, power outages, and agricultural damage estimated around $1.3 billion.

GACD feels led to start a Hurricane Relief Effort for anyone who has been impacted. Everything received will go directly to Hurricane victims in Georgia.

Donations can be monetary (tax deductible, make all checks out to GACD and mail to Michelle Boone, 1101-L Hillcrest Pkway #40, Dublin, GA 31021. Donations can also be made online at www.gacd.us/hurricanemichael) or can be in the form of toiletry items, baby wipes, canned goods. Donations and goods can be dropped off to District Program Assistants at District offices statewide. Click HERE for a list of offices.

GACD Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

GACD is now accepting applications for the following scholarships: GACD Scholarship, Garland & Anita Thompson Scholarship, and GACD Auxiliary Scholarship.  Applications will be due December 19. Scholarships will be presented at the Hall of Fame Dinner during our Annual Meeting on January 19. Application and more information can be found at: http://www.gacd.us/scholarships/ .