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. 

The partnering agencies will host the workshop and trapping demonstration opportunities on November 19, 2025 in Camilla, Ga at the Mitchell County Ag Center located at 4590 Hwy 37 E Camilla, Ga. The workshop will be from 9:00am -12:45pm with lunch provided. This workshop is sponsored by the Flint River Conservation District.

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. There 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.

Limestone Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a FREE wild pig control workshop and trapping demonstration open to the public on Oct. 22 at 5:30pm at Gilmer County Ag Center at 385 Clear Creek School Rd., Ellijay, GA. Wild pigs cause millions of dollars of damage to property, farmland, and wildlife habitat annually. Landowners, farmers, hunters, outdoorsman and anyone interested are invited to join us to learn how to effectively control wild pigs, different types of traps and how to use and set them up, and much more. Dinner will be provided sponsored by Limestone Valley SWCD. This event is free, but sign up is required by October 13. Sign up today!

Cobb County Conservation District is offering a NPDES Level 1A Fundamentals Blue Card Certification Course in Acworth on Thursday, May 8, 8:00am-4:30pm. This is an 8 hour course with a test at the end. Lunch will be provided by Cobb County Conservation District. Register by April 30. Registration fee is $135 and includes textbook and lunch. Space is limited. Register today!

WHERE: Tanyard Creek Overlook - 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth, Ga.

Passing score of 70% or greater results in certification. Certification is valid for 3 years. This course is delivered by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) in accordance with Georgia Environmental Protection Division guidelines. The course is sponsored by Cobb County Conservation District. Visit www.gacd.us/cobbcounty for more information.

Towaliga Soil and Water Conservation District is offering a free workshop demonstrating no till drill equipment and benefits on May 2 from 9:00am-2:00pm at Vaughn Farms. Lunch is included. Pesticide credits also available. Register by April 25. See flyer below for address and details.

Join the Catoosa County Conservation District for a FREE fun and engaging half day outdoors on April 22 (Earth Day!) at 9:00am at Blue Springs Hunting Club to learn from UGA Extension and fisheries experts about pond health, weed management, fish health, stock management and more! Lunch will be provided by Walker County Young Farmers and Limestone Valley RC&D Council. Register by April 14 to reserve your spot! See flyer for details and register below!

Join Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District and various collaborative partners on Friday, April 4 at 9:00am at the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance at 1442 Richland Rd. SW, Atlanta, Ga for a free workshop including Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) training and certification through Produce Food Safety Services, lunch by Chef Zu of Kings Apron Holistic Nutrition, an overview of the City of Atlanta’s Farmstand Ordinance and Q&A, and a visit to Patchwork City Farms Market Stand! This event is free, but space is limited to 30 participants, so register today to secure your spot! Register at www.gacd.us/events. This event is brought to you by the Fulton County Soil & Water Conservation District, City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Sustainability & Resilience, AGLanta, Core2Globe, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Kings Apron Holistic Nutrition, Fulton County UGA Extension, and more.

You are encouraged to represent your Conservation District at GACD’s annual 2025 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY at the CAPITOL and help deliver our message to elected officials. By visiting with Georgia Legislative members, we can mobilize an effective grassroots network when a critical issue is under consideration. Your participation guarantees a powerful action network.

You will not want to miss out on this opportunity to make an impact in your District and state. Show your support of natural resource stewardship with your presence at the 2025 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY. 

Tuesday, Feb. 18th
9:00am (Check-in begins at 8:30am)
Tanyard Creek Overlook - 4361 Cherokee St., Acworth, GA 30101

District supervisors, Local Issuing Authorities (LIA), and partner agencies - please join us for the annual Group 1 Meeting for engaging presentations on protecting urban waterways, LIA responsibilities and partnering with Conservation Districts and more! Breakfast will be served and we will wrap up around noon. 

Group 3 District Supervisors: join us for partner updates, a big breakfasts, and hear from UGA Ag & Applied Economics professor about the extent of damage from Hurricane Helene.

GEORGIA FERAL HOG TASK FORCE PARTNERS WITH MIDDLE SOUTH GA SWCD TO HOST FERAL HOG TRAP RENTAL TRAINING

In January 2024, the Georgia Feral Hog Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration between the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and the University of Georgia, announced a new trap rental pilot program with the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). The rental program is open to anyone in the Middle South Georgia SWCD impacted by feral hogs and attends the training workshop. 

The partnering agencies will host a training workshop on October 29, 2024 at the Tifton USDA Service Center located 1468 Carpenter Rd, Tifton, GA. The workshop will be in the morning from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Again, this training workshop is required to be able to rent a trap and is only open to landowners in Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties.

Topics will include wild pig biology, regulations and laws, personal protective equipment and carcass disposal, demonstration on setup and use of the Pig Brig trapping system.

There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited to the first 30 registrants. Pre-registration is required. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events. 

Catoosa County Conservation District is partnering with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC) to offer a Level 1A (Blue Card) Initial Certification course on Monday, September 30 at 8:00AM at the Colonnade at 264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736. This is an 8 hour state-certified course delivered by GSWCC with a test at the end. Passing score of 70% or greater will earn certification. Certification valid for 3 years. Pre-registration is required to reserve your seat and textbook. Cost includes textbook. Lunch will be provided on-site by Limestone Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council. Register before Sep. 22nd.

When constituents talk, the Georgia Legislature listens. You are encouraged to represent your Conservation District at GACD’s annual 2024 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY at the CAPITOL and help deliver our message to elected officials.

By visiting with members of the Legislature, we can mobilize an effective grassroots network when a critical issue is under consideration. Your participation guarantees a powerful action network. Show your support of natural resource stewardship with your presence at the 2024 CONSERVATION DISTRICT DAY.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Room 123

8:00AM Check- In/ Donuts & Coffee

8:30AM

Welcome and Invocation

Proclamation Presentation

Review of Process for Meetings

Review of Ask

10:15AM     Individual Meetings with Legislators (Scheduled Independently)

11:00AM Gather at Steps in front of Governor Kemp’s Office for a Group Picture

Dismissal

REGISTRATION

Complete the registration form below to confirm your attendance.

Deadline to register is January 24, 2024.

Georgia Feral Hog Task Force Announces Pilot Trap Rental Program and Workshop in Middle-South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District

Atlanta, Ga  – Today, the Georgia Feral Hog Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration between the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and the University of Georgia, announced a new trap rental pilot program will be rolled out at a workshop in Tifton on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. The workshop is open to anyone in the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District impacted by feral hogs and interested in renting a PigBrig trap. Attendance at the workshop is required to participate in the trap rental program. The workshop is limited to 35 participants. Additional details below: 

What: A workshop to roll out a new trap rental pilot program. It will cover topics including feral hog behavior and biology, Georgia feral hog hunting/trapping rules and regulations, zoonotic disease concerns, PPE and safe carcass handling, and installation and use of the PigBrig trap. 

Who: Representatives from GDA, USDA, DNR, GACD, and UGA will lead the workshop. Anyone in the Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District (Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties) impacted by feral hogs and interested in renting a trap is welcomed to attend; however, participation is limited to 35 attendees and attendance at the workshop is required to participate in the trap rental program. At this time, the program is ONLY available to Georgians in counties listed above, and 

When: 1:00-5:00PM on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 

Where: Tift County Extension Office – 1468 Carpenter Road South Tifton, Ga 31793

Trap Rentals: Trap rentals will be $80/month with a $200 deposit and a maximum rental term of 3 months. Trap rentals will become available in the days following the workshop. 

Additional Info: If you have questions or need additional information please contact the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts at info@gacd.us, (833) 411-4223, or online at www.gacd.us .