OCONEE RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Oconee River Conservation District services Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee counties. The 6th Conservation District in Georgia to be established, this region is known for its bountiful resources, abundant agricultural land, and for its role as a gateway to explore the North Georgia Mountains. The District is also home to both the Sandy Creek Watershed in Athens, and the Marbury Creek Watershed, part of the popular Fort Yargo State Park. The Oconee River Conservation District is dedicated to agricultural and environmental education and stewardship in our communities, as well as the use of proven and emerging technologies in conservation and agricultural sustainability.

Events

News

GACD Announces State Poster Contest Winner for 2024

Vedika Shah - State Poster Contest Winner - 1st Grade Category - “May the Forest Be with You, Always!”

Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District Awards Winners of Poster Contest

October 18, 2024, Bogart, GA: Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating young people about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.

Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offered the Georgia Association of Conservation District’s (GACD) poster contest to public, private and homeschooled students from Kindergarten through 5th grade in the schools throughout the Oconee River SWCD. Each year, the winning posters reflect GACD’s annual Stewardship theme and highlight the work of Conservation Districts to protect and enhance natural resources. This year’s theme “May the Forest Be with You Always” promotes the importance of our forests.

Three overall winners in each of the K-5th grade categories, were chosen from many creative poster contest entries. The 1st place winner in the K-1st grade was Vedika Shah, a student at Oconee County Primary School, winning $25.00. The 2nd place winner in the 2nd-3rd grade was Aarush Shah, a student at Oconee County Primary School, winning $15.00. The 1st place winner was Lexi Sampson, a homeschool in Oconee County, winning $25.00. The 3rd place winner in the 4th-5th grade was Solomiia Khloponina, a student at West Jackson Elementary School, winning $10.00. The 2nd place winner was Hope Costa, a student at West Jackson Elementary School, winning $15.00. The 1st place winner was Natalie Green, also a student at West Jackson Elementary School, winning $25.00. All first place entries will be submitted to the GACD State Poster Contest. The awards were presented in Bogart, Ga during the Oconee River SWCD Annual Banquet on October 17, 2024 by GACD’s NE Regional Program Manager, Dana Tripp and the Chairman of the Oconee River SWCD Board, Dewey Johnson. GACD and local Conservation Districts encourage Georgia’s youth to practice conservation efforts that benefit Georgia communities.

The Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, and Oconee Counties. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, 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 www.gacd.us/oconeeriver.

Pictured: Vedika Shah and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

Pictured: GACD NE RPM, Dana Tripp, Lexi Sampson and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

Pictured: Aarush Shah and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

Pictured: Natalie Green and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

Pictured: Hope Costa and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

Pictured: Solomiia Kloponina and Oconee River SWCD Chairman, Dewey Johnson

District Supervisors

Featured

William "Dewey" Johnson, Chairman

Jackson County

Mr. Johnson has been elected since 2009. He is the son of Jimmy and Ruth Johnson. He is married to Robynn and they have one son, Nathan who is active in the farming operation.

Dewey is a graduate of Jefferson High School and the University of Georgia. He served as an Agriculture Teacher at Jackson County Comprehensive for 10 years.

Currently, Dewey is at the helm of Johnson Centennial Farm, a beef cattle operation, established 1871.

Janice Marable, Treasurer

Oconee County

An Oconee County native, she graduated from Oconee County High School and attended the University of Georgia. Janice began work at the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission in 1978. She retired in 2009 as Administrative Operations Manager. Janice was elected in 2010 to serve as a supervisor. Janice also serves as District Treasurer, and is a member of Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development Council, and the Watkinsville Garden Club.

Tony Embrick, Chaplain

Jackson County

Mr. Embrick serves as the appointed supervisor for Jackson County and has been in the position since April 2010. He retired from teaching agricultural education for 29 years in Jackson and Banks counties. Tony is a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau, Jackson county FFA alumni, and Georgia Retired Teachers Association. He attended Gainesville College and UGA. Tony and his wife, Sheila, have been married for 38 years. They have one son, Gavin, who is a graduate of the Georgia State University and a daughter, Elise, a graduate of Emmanuel College.

Eli Garrett

Oconee County

Eli Garrett is a lifelong Oconee County resident. Experience he gained in the family’s cattle and row crop operation transitioned into active participation in the National FFA Organization where he was an American FFA degree recipient and national finalist in the Environmental Science and Natural Resources Proficiency area. Though no longer farming on a large scale, Eli uses his background in natural resources as a GA-EPD Certified Landfill Operator.

Ray Rozier

Clarke County

Ray Rozier Sr. was born in Bulloch county, Georgia. He is one of 12 children. Ray lived the majority of his life on the farm. He has been no stranger to soil and water conservation when he was urged by Mr. Julius Abraham, Assistant Principal of Statesboro High, to apply for a position with SCS. In 1977, Ray started as a technician in Sylvania. He is married to May Rozier; they have four children. He has worked in Screven, Cordele, Crisp, Lincoln, Houston, Elbert, Oglethorpe, and Gwinnett. In August of 2012, he retired from NRCS after 35 years of service. Since retirement, he has served o the Clarke County Board of Equalization.

Fred Smith

Clarke County

Recently retired as a District Director of the Georgia Department of Labor, Fred has 30 years of experience in programs which support individuals, families and communities. Born in 1953 on a farm in Watkinsville, he later moved to Athens' Jack R. Wells public housing community. Fred graduated from Clarke Central High in 1971 and earned his BA in Sociology from Paine College in Augusta. Later, he received his Master’s in Journalism from UGA.

He is a member of New Grove Baptist Church, where he serves as a deacon. He worked more than 17 years with the State Department of Community Affairs where he was State Coordinator of Family Self- Sufficiency Program and an area administrator in the department's rental assistance division.

Robert McLocklin

Barrow County

Mr. McLocklin was raised on a farm that spans generations. His family was instrumental in beginning some of the programs and trucking agencies serving today’s farmers. McLocklin Farms created a Co-Op which became Farmers Mutual Exchange/Gold Kist. Cotton, cows, and chickens were the focus of the 700-800 acre farm. As conservation practices were being put into place across the country, McLocklin Farms, utilized terracing practices and grassed waterways to control water flow. Mr. McLocklin plans to bring conservation programs to the local schools and to encourage the next generation to be involved in conservation efforts through the Oconee River SWCD. Mr. McLocklin moved from land farming into retail farm efforts and spent his working career there. He currently produces Hickory nuts on his small 10 acre farm. He sat on the Barrow County Planning Commision Board for a number of years before retiring. His current work includes collecting data for pear growers like USA Pears and sharing that information with local schools.

Russ Wilburn

Barrow County

Russ Wilburn is a Barrow County farmer who is dedicated to conservation practices which protects the land of our farms and communities for future generations and to give his children the opportunity to farm as they grow. Wilburn is the Barrow County Farm Bureau Board President and a District Representative of the Farm Bureau State Board representing 17 counties. He also represents Barrow County on the Farm Service Agency County Committee. Wilburn looks forward to representing Barrow County on the Oconee River SWCD and is excited to share his knowledge with the District.

Meeting Information

The Oconee River Conservation District meets the second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. at 90 Lanthier Street, Winder, GA.

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