Tom Mims Inducted into GACD Hall of Fame

April 11, 2022 - Callaway Resort & Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA – The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts held their annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Monday, April 11, 2022 during their Annual Meeting to honor and award those individuals who have gone above and beyond to further conservation efforts for our state. The highlight of the evening is naming the Hall of Fame Inductee.

Tom Mims has been a District Supervisor representing Richmond County for the Brier Creek Conservation District since 2010. He currently serves as the District Chair. Tom also serves as the Feral Swine Committee Chair for the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts.

GACD President Mark Masters and 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee Tom Mims

Tom grew up on a small cattle farm in rural Hephzibah, Ga.  He graduated from Auburn University in 1969 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Physics. Tom began his career with Sperry Rand as an Electronics Engineer. Tom was later offered a job working for the US Army Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, GA. It was at that time that he and his wife Pat moved the family to Tom’s hometown, Hephzibah, Ga where they built a house on their 175 acre Farm- Silver Bottom Tree Farm.

While working for the Army, Tom grew a small group of technical staff into the Battle Command Battle Lab with 22 Department of Army Civilians, five military officers, and 102 contractors where they worked to resolve communications problems between army units. Tom retired from The Department of Army Civil Service at age 60. He then built his own company, TacNet Consulting LLC and provided consulting services for the Army Battle Command Battle Lab for the next 10 years. Tom fully retired from his career in engineering and consulting in 2015.

Tom is a true leader in conservation and has devoted countless hours to promote stewardship within the Brier Creek Conservation District and throughout the state of Georgia. Through Tom’s leadership, an agreement was obtained with the city of Augusta and Richmond County to include Conservation Education Outreach in their StormWater Ordinance. This agreement provides $9k/year to Brier Creek Conservation District. Tom has been awarded numerous grants to improve water quality in the Augusta area through variable rate irrigation technology, and to reduce fecal pollution in the brushy creek watershed. One of his grants is the first federal 319h grant to include “removal of feral swine” as an EPA approved Best Management Practice to reduce fecal pollution.

In addition, Tom started a Feral Swine Control Program in the Brier Creek Conservation District and through a partnership with GACD, 14 Conservation Districts across the state are now able to provide feral swine control services to landowners. Since the program began in 2017, almost nine thousand feral swine have been removed from Georgia, saving landowners an estimated $2.5 million in damages to property and agricultural crops. Tom currently leads this program throughout the state for GACD.

Tom was named GACD’s District Supervisor of the Year in 2018, and was also named the 2008 Outstanding Forest Steward for Richmond County.

In his spare time, Tom loves spending time outdoors where he enjoys camping, hunting, fishing and hiking.

Tom and Pat will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary in April. They have two children, Watson and Amber, and a 14 year old Grandson, Reed. 

The GACD Hall of Fame preserves the history of the conservation movement in Georgia by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to soil and water conservation. 

Congratulations to Tom Mims, the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee.

Georgia Legislature Increases Funding for Conservation

As part of a busy final day to their 2022 Session, the Georgia Legislature adopted a fiscal year 2023 budget that provides a significant boost to conservation funding in Georgia. An additional $772,300 was appropriated to the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission to support conservation efforts across the state. Funding will provide a much needed increase to Conservation Districts’ local outreach and education capabilities as well as allow the Commission to hire additional staff to support District operations.  

“This funding is a clear indication of the importance locally-led conservation has in meeting our natural resource concerns throughout Georgia,” said Mark Masters, President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD). “We are appreciative of the General Assembly for investing in this important work.”
 
Bob Martin, Chairman of the State Soil and Water Commission, noted the importance of partnerships and a unified voice in securing these funds. “We’re grateful for the strong relationship we have with GACD,” said Martin, “and for the instrumental support of District Supervisors throughout Georgia advocating for conservation.”
 
The FY2023 budget now heads to Governor Kemp for review and final approval. GACD thanks the General Assembly taking this important step and looks forward to working with the Commission and other conservation partners around the state in protecting our natural resources for the benefit of all Georgians.

The mission of GACD is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership and a unified strategic direction to the Conservation Districts of the state. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

Robbie Faust of Terrell County Receives National Award for Conservation Efforts

February 15, 2022 Orlando, FL: Robbie Faust, owner of Bellflower Farms located in Dawson, Georgia has been named the 2021 Friend of Conservation by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation. He was honored at the NACD Annual Meeting held in Orlando, FL on February 14.

Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), Mike Faust, Nancy Faust, Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Jessi Faust, JW Faust, Michael Crowder (NACD President).
Not pictured: Brooks Faust

Robbie Faust is a third-generation farmer from Terrell County in Southwest Georgia. He and his family farm 1,800 acres of cotton, corn, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. For Faust and his family, soil health is a primary factor in decision making on their farm. Bellflower Farms is home to an impressive e conservation portfolio that includes strip-till and no-till cover crops, terraces, grassed waterways, low pressure drip nozzles and more. As an early adopter of conservation practices, Robbie is always willing to share lessons learned and participate in projects that promote conservation. In 2020, Robbie entered into a partnership with the Lower Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District, Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, University of Georgia Extension and USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service to participate in a multi-year cover crop outreach and education project, hosting field days on the research and demonstration plots created through the project. Robbie and Bellflower Farms are true friends of conservation.

Faust was also named the 2021 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts. He will be honored at their Annual Meeting in April.

Pictured left to right: Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Brooks Faust, Jessi Faust, J.W. Faust

The Lower Chattahoochee River Soil & Water Conservation District had their 59th Annual Conservationist of the Year Banquet on February 22nd to honor all the county-level awardees for their conservation efforts. Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) made a special appearance to honor all the awardees in addition to giving a special recognition to Mark Masters and Robbie Faust by presenting them each with a plaque. He thanked them for their leadership and strong representation of Southwest Georgia and reminded the audience of the importance of conserving our natural resources. Mr. Bishop represents Georgia’s Second Congressional District and currently serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and as Chair of the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee.

Pictured is Mark Masters, Congressman Sanford Bishop, and Robbie Faust.

John Redding of Walton County Inducted into National Conservation Hall of Distinction

February 14, 2022, Orlando, Florida-- John Redding of Walton County was recently inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Hall of Distinction at their Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on February 14. 

NACD created the Hall of Distinction to recognize and honor the organization's current and past leaders who have made major contributions to our nation's Conservation Movement.

Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), John Redding, Danny Hogan (GACD Board Member)

John Redding’s involvement with NACD and natural resources conservation began through his service with the Walton County Conservation District where he served as Chair for 31 years. John has served NACD in many capacities including representing the State of Georgia as a board member, committee chair, regional chair, executive board member, and treasurer.  He served as President of NACD from 2008-2009.  As President, he was an advocate for the conservation of the nation’s natural resources through testimony to the US House and Senate Agriculture Committees.  John was also selected by US Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to serve as a panelist at the National Rural Summit and by President George W. Bush to participate in the Collaborative Conservation event in Washington, DC. John is the only Georgian to serve as President of NACD since its founding in 1946.

John owns a 500-acre farm in southwest Georgia where he implements soil and water conservation practices in the production of cotton, peanuts and timber. He currently serves as a representative on the Walton County Conservation District, Board Member Emeritus for the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and Treasurer for the National Conservation Foundation.  He resides in Monroe and is married to the former Levon Wilkerson, father to Cynthia (Tom Walker) and Carly, and proud grandfather to Lucy. 

Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), John Redding, Danny Hogan (GACD Board Member)

Mark Masters of Terrell County Graduates from National Conservation Leadership Program

February 14, 2022 - Orlando, FL:  Mark Masters of Dawson, GA recently graduated from the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI). He was honored at the National Association of Conservation Districts Leadership Luncheon held February 14 in Orlando, FL.

The goals of NGLI are to equip Conservation District leaders with personal, civic and organizational development so they can ensure future needs of resource management are met, and advocate for Conservation Districts and the challenges they face on the national level. 

Masters was part of the very first cohort of individuals to participate in this prestigious program and one of only two from the Southeastern United States.

Pictured is GACD President Mark Masters and his wife, Amy.

Mark also serves as President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Vice- Chair of the Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District and the Director of the Georgia Water Policy and Planning Center in Albany. He resides in Dawson, GA with his wife Amy and daughters Lilly, Sally and Molly.

Luke Nichols Named GACD Scholarship Winner

GACD is excited to announce our 2022 Scholarship Winner is Luke Nichols of Enigma, Ga. Luke is currently a senior at Berrien County High School and will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the Fall where he will pursue a career in the field of Agricultural Engineering.

To encourage study and careers in soil and water conservation related fields, GACD administers one $1,000 scholarship each year. The scholarship is given to students majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation related area. Acceptable areas of study include, but are not limited to, agricultural education, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology, and agricultural communications.

Mady Barnes Named GACD Operations Manager

The Board and Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) are pleased to announce Mady Barnes as Operations Manager. Mady has been a dedicated and invaluable member of the GACD team as an independent contractor serving as a District Program Assistant in 2018 and more recently as GACD's Project Coordinator.

Mady has been instrumental in the expansion of GACD goals and objectives. A small sampling of her work with GACD has been the creation and management of our Friend of Conservation program, establishment of partnerships and coordination of policy events with our state legislators, and assisting with the execution of many of GACD's conservation programs and initiatives.

In her new role as Operations Manager, she will play a hands-on role in executing GACD’s statewide conservation programs and objectives, and lead tasks essential to daily operations ensuring GACD’s effectiveness and efficiency. Her role will serve as a technical and professional resource both within and outside the Association, and she will work to provide oversight and management for ongoing operations including implementation and compliance related to GACD programs and outreach efforts.

Mady resides in Lizella, GA with her husband Bryan and daughter Paisley.

The mission of GACD is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership and a unified strategic direction to the Conservation Districts of the state. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

Robbie Faust of Terrell County Receives State Award for Conservation Efforts

Robbie Faust owner of Bellflower Farms located in Dawson, Georgia has been named the 2021 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation.

Robbie Faust

Pictured left to right: Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Brooks Faust, Jessi Faust, J.W. Faust

Faust is a third-generation farmer from Terrell County in Southwest Georgia. He and his family farm 1,800 acres of cotton, corn, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Their operation includes an impressive conservation portfolio including measures to improve water quality and soil health, reduce the amount of water, fertilizer and other inputs used and maintain healthy wildlife and aquatic habitats on their property.

Soil health is a primary factor for the Faust’s in making their planting and management decisions. All the cotton and corn grown on their farm is strip-tilled resulting in reduced soil disturbance and erosion potential. Utilizing cereal rye as a cover crop also helps provide soil stability and capture some nutrients from the previous year’s cash crop. Additionally, soybeans and wheat are both planted with a no-till drill to disturb the least amount of soil or residue possible. Beginning in the fall of 2020, Robbie entered into a partnership with the Lower Chattahoochee Soil and Water Conservation District, Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, UGA Extension and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to participate in a multi-year cover crop outreach and education project. The Faust Family agreed to plant one of their irrigated fields into multiple cover crop research and demonstration plots to compare fertility, water use, yield and other factors across a variety of treatments. Beyond data collection on cover crop usage, the 65-acre site has been used to host education and outreach field days during 2021 and it’s anticipated the same location will be used for the remainder of the three-year project.

Beyond activities related to soil health, Robbie has implemented a host of other conservation measures across his operation. All the irrigation systems in use on their farm employ highly efficient low pressure, drop nozzle technology with the majority incorporating end-gun shut-off systems to prevent watering of non-cropped areas. The Fausts were also early advocates of utilizing Georgia’s agricultural metering program to gather highly accurate information on their water use and inform their water management decisions. Through partnerships and capitalizing on programs offered through NRCS, they have also established terraces and grassed waterways across their property, converted inefficient diesel pumping systems over to electricity, adopted variable rate fertilizer application technology and established a number of habitat plots that support local wildlife.

Robbie and his family embody the “commitment to conservation” this award was designed to acknowledge. By embracing best management practices and other technologies, his operation is a prime example that a strong conservation ethic can still translate to consistently good yields and productivity. More important, however, is Robbie’s position in the community as an early-adopter that is willing to share lessons- learned and participate in projects that promote conservation across the entire region. “The Faust Family displays the characteristics of ‘locally-led’ conservation that are critical to the past and future success of Conservation Districts throughout Georgia and nationwide,” noted Mark Masters, President of GACD. “We congratulate them on this honor and wish them luck as they compete to represent Georgia for the national Friend of Conservation award to be announced next month.”

The mission of GACD is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership and a unified strategic direction to the Conservation Districts of the state. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

2021 GACD Photo & Poster Contest Winners

POSTER CONTEST

K- 1st Grade Category:
Rhodes Sturdivant, 1st Grade, Pitner Elementary School, Acworth, GA
Submitted by Cobb County Conservation District

2nd- 3rd Grade Category:
Soraya Barajas, 3rd Grade, Eastvalley Elementary School, Marietta, GA
Submitted by Cobb County Conservation District

4th- 6th Grade Category:
Tariah Teasley, 5th Grade, North Jackson Elementary, Talmo, GA
Submitted by Oconee River Conservation District

7th- 9th Grade Category:
Rori Pepper, 8th Grade, Heritage Middle School, Ringgold, GA
Submitted by Catoosa County Conservation District

10th- 12th Grade Category:
Laura Ivey, 11th Grade, White County High School, Cleveland, GA

Submitted by Upper Chattahoochee River Conservation District

PHOTO CONTEST

Close Up Conservation:
"Symphony of Colors"
Kiran Reddy, 8th Grade, Citizens Christian Academy, Douglas, GA

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the Conservation Districts that participated!

Winners will all receive a cash prize and an invitation to attend GACD's Annual Meeting at Callaway Resort & Gardens in April.

2021 Fall STEM Challenge Winners

☆ 3rd Grade: Ms. Christie Holtman's class at East Fannin Elementary School, Fannin County

☆ 4th Grade: Ms. Alisa Nepp's class at Ringgold Elementary School, Catoosa County

☆ 5th Grade: Ms. Hannah Atcheson's class at Poole Elementary School, Paulding County

What is the STEM Challenge you ask? The Challenge is a program brought to you by the Georgia Ag Experience, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau's Ag-in-the-Classroom in partnership with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD). It was developed to help expose elementary teachers and students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) involved in agricultural production of food and fiber. The Challenge helps students recognize their role in agriculture by exposing them to real-world problems that they can help solve. The Fall Challenge was focused on the relationship between forests and our communities.

Thank you to our partners at the Georgia Forestry Commission for providing the educational video and resources to our classroom participants!

How is the challenge structured? A bi-annual competition focusing on a real-world ag problem. Elementary classrooms (grades 3 - 5) across Georgia put their skills to the test as they compete to win. Each school receives a digital kit of resources and a tailored educational program for their students. The top 3 classrooms with the best solution can win a prize and be recognized for their effort!

If you are an Elementary School teacher that is interested in having your class participate in our Spring 2022 STEM Challenge, please let us know!