CENTRAL GEORGIA CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Central Georgia Conservation District was organized on February 17, 1940, and was originally comprised of Johnson, Washington, and Wilkinson Counties. The very first District Supervisors were H. Grady Hatcher of Wrightsville, Marvin Gross of Sandersville, E. V. Metts of Sandersville, Morris T. Riner of Meeks, and Thomas A. Brundidge of Irwinton. The Central Georgia District continued to grow within the next 5 years, adding the counties of Twiggs and Bleckley in 1941, Laurens in 1943, and, finally, Dodge in 1945.
Now, the Central Georgia District is thriving with 7 counties and a board with 14 members. There are 7 elected supervisors each serving 4-year term, and 7 appointed supervisors each serving a 2-year term.
The Central Georgia Conservation District is an agency of the state government, tasked with providing conservation programs to the people of the counties they serve. The Supervisors are locals, elected and appointed to make decisions on conservation, and work with government employees who provide the technical assistance these landowners and managers need. The Central Georgia District Supervisors are dedicated to conserving our land’s natural resources and providing the knowledge necessary to do so.
Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Partners with T.J. Elder Middle School to Install Hydroponics Raft System
Sandersville, GA — August 28, 2025 — The Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in collaboration with T.J. Elder Middle School, proudly announces the installation of a new Hydroponics Raft System on campus. The project was made possible through grant support and partnerships with the USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held on August 21, 2025, marked the official launch of the system, which will give students hands-on experience with innovative agricultural practices.
During the ceremony, T.J. Elder Middle School FFA students, with the guidance of their FFA Advisor, Matthew Shelton, showcased the hydroponics project. Students demonstrated the complete process — from seed to harvest, including sanitizing, drying, weighing, and packaging produce for sale — highlighting both the educational and entrepreneurial benefits of the system.
"The introduction of the hydroponics system will significantly advance our agriculture program by providing our students with real-world experience in soilless growing methods which are becoming more popular in modern agriculture," said Matthew Shelton, Connections Teacher at T.J. Elder Middle School. "Students will also be able to use the system to build on their knowledge of plant science as well as things such as food safety, processing, and business skills."
Eddy Turner, Supervisor of the Central Georgia SWCD, who identified the opportunity to partner with T.J. Elder Middle School on this great project added:
"Our local FFA program, the students and leaders, are outstanding and we are proud to assist in this important project. The greatest benefit of this project is the development of skills and teamwork of the students. This is a project that enables all students to participate, discover their unique skills and apply them in a team environment complementing those of each other to achieve great results. They are learning about planning, planting, growing, harvesting, packaging, marketing and sales. These are business skills that will follow them throughout life."
The Central Georgia SWCD works closely with partners across the state to deliver education and resources that promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation. With youth education as one of its top priorities, the District sees the hydroponics system as an important step toward preparing future leaders in conservation and agriculture.
The Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that guides natural resource programs in Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Twiggs, Washington, and Wilkinson counties utilizing partnerships with local, state, and federal organizations to promote conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources. Through education, outreach, resource and grant opportunities, the District supports farmers, schools, and communities in creating sustainable solutions that benefit both agriculture and the environment.
Eddy Turner named national Soil Health Champion
Tennille, GA, August 14, 2024 – The Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is proud to announce that Eddy Turner has been named a Soil Health Champion by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).
The Central Georgia SWCD worked with NACD to nominate Turner based on his extraordinary work to promote soil health management practices on his own farm and advance the adoption of these practices within his community. Soil Health Champions are raising awareness about the benefits of soil health practices from the local level to a national one. Champions share their personal experiences using best management practices through the national network on a peer-to-peer basis and through NACD-hosted national meetings and events.
Eddy Turner’s journey began on a family farm near Tennille, GA in Washington County, where he spent his youth tending to chores until he was old enough to operate tractors, combines, and cotton pickers. Engaged in 4 H and FFA, Turner’s early ambition was to farm alongside his father. However, his father encouraged him to pursue a business career first. Despite this, Turner maintained a passion for farming and in his spare time, worked alongside his dad.
Turner enjoyed a long and prosperous career in the Kaolin industry, but in 1976, he purchased a 280-acre farm that had been neglected for many years, embarking on a journey to clear brush and restore abandoned fields. Through the droughts of 1977 – 1982 and turbulent economic conditions with high interest rates, he adapted by transitioning from row crops to focusing on cattle and forage production, aligning with his land’s capabilities during dry periods.
Over the years, Turner expanded his holdings, acquiring additional acreage in 1992 and 2001, totaling 580 acres today, with a mix of farmland, improved pine timber, and natural hardwoods. Utilizing programs from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), he converted marginal row crop land to loblolly pine.
Today he grows 125 acres of hybrid Bermuda hay and sells to consumers for horses, cattle and grass fed beef production. The hay is sold based on quality measured by University of Georgia forage analysis. Since 2014, his hay has consistently ranked among the top three in the Southeast Hay Quality contest. Turner humbly attributes his success to divine providence, noting, “God grows the hay, and we only harvest it.” Yet, Turner admits you must also have the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure consistent high-quality yields annually. He sells around 35,000 small bales per year to farm retail centers and about 400 round bales directly to grass fed cattle producers.
Beyond hay production, Turner is actively enhancing soil health on 55 acres of row crop land. He employs multi-species cover crops in winter including oats, crimson clover, Persian clover, daikon radish, and kale. He follows with grain sorghum, sun hemp, or sunflowers in summer, adopting no-till practices to increase organic matter and carbon content. The results have been promising, with organic matter rising from 1.6 percent to 2.6 percent over four years, enhancing water retention and reducing herbicide use. The goal is to maximize organic matter left on the soil surface, and resources through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) were essential in enabling this practice to be applied. He was able to demonstrate these applications and benefits at the farm when hosting a Soil Health Workshop this past fall (2023).
Turner’s stewardship extends to wildlife management, with dedicated plots and buffer strips around cropland, improving habitat for deer, turkey, and quail. These wildlife plots are no-till for both winter and summer plants.
Engaged in agricultural leadership, Turner serves on various boards and associations. He is on the board of Washington County Farm Bureau, serving as president; he’s chairman for Washington County Ag Center and the Annual Ag Center Rodeo; he’s on the board of supervisors for Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District; and he’s a member of Washington County Cattlemen’s Association, serving as Secretary-Treasurer.
Outside of farming, Turner and his wife Ruthi, alongside their son Trey, actively manage operations. They cherish family time with their three grown children and two grandsons and are committed members of the First Baptist Church of Sandersville, where Turner serves in leadership roles.
Recognized as Conservationist of the Year for his Conservation District in 2023, Turner remains committed to advancing soil health practices and sharing his knowledge. The Soil Health Workshop he hosted last year on his farm underscores his dedication to sustainable agriculture and community education.
To arrange a speaking engagement, interview, field tour, or other activity with Eddy Turner or the NACD Soil Health Champions Network, contact NACD’s Beth Mason at beth-mason@nacdnet.org.
supervisors
Supervisors Not Pictured:
mike lucas, bleckley county
james tanner, johnson county
Alan White, twiggs County
district projects and events
Conservationist of the Year
Each year for nearly 60 years, the Central Georgia Conservation District bestows a prestigious award to a resident of each county that it represents. Recipients of the award have demonstrated exemplary conservation practices and are shining examples in their community.
2023 Honorees
district services
No-Till Drill
Feral Swine Control Services
meeting information
The Central Georgia Conservation District meets the third Thursday of every month at 11:00 AM at the Ole Times Buffet located at 1636 Veterans Blvd Dublin, Ga 31021.