MIDDLE SOUTH GEORGIA CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Middle South Georgia Conservation District is one of 40 conservation districts in the state of GA. Our district was created in 1945 in the aftermath of the Dust Bowl and encompasses nine counties in southwest Georgia.

As a legal subdivision of the state of Georgia, the District bridges the gap between federal and state resource management agencies and the local people; this allows decisions about natural resource issues and conservation problems to be made at a local level, with technical and financial assistance provided by the government. Middle South Georgia Conservation District comprises Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties

MIDDLE SOUTH GA CONSERVATION DISTRICT’S GRADY THOMPSON HONORABLE ABAC SCHOLARSHIP NOW OPEN

Tifton, GA October 10, 2025—The Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), a local agency dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of the area’s natural resources, is excited to offer a $2000 scholarship in honor of District Supervisor representing Tift County, Grady Thompson. 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.

The scholarship is open to any student currently enrolled at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College (ABAC) and not graduating before December 2025. Visit www.gacd.us/middlesouthgeorgia for more information and to apply. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2025. 

The Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that directs natural resource management programs in Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth counties. The Conservation District works with farmers, landowners, 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 at www.gacd.us/middlesouthgeorgia.

MIDDLE SOUTH GA CONSERVATION DISTRICT HONORS 2024 CONSERVATIONISTS OF THE YEAR

Moultrie, Ga March 27, 2025 —The Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), a local agency dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of the area’s natural resources, honored the 2023 Conservationists of the Year in each county within its area. The service area includes Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner and Worth counties. The Conservationist of the Year Banquet was held at Southern Regional Technical College in Moultrie, Ga on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Congratulations to the following recipients:

Kenny Ray Davis - Ben Hill County

Bud Reeves - Brooks County

Matthew Thompson - Colquitt County

Ricky Fultz - Crisp County

Wesley Paulk - Irwin County

Matthew Thompson - Thomas County

Tyler Beasley - Tift County

Scott Bullington - Turner County

Brett Cochran - Worth County

A big thank you to all of the generous donors who help make the Banquet a success: Irwin Co Farm Bureau, Lasseter Tractor, Turner Co Stockyard, Moultrie Bank & Trust, Ben Hill Co Farm Bureau, Citizens National Bank, Worth Co Farm Bureau, Brooks Co Farm Bureau, Sconyers Gin, Tri-County Ag, Alex Sumner Farms, Belflower Equipment & Machine Works, Sconyers Gin, BCT Gin, South Georgia Banking Co, Ag Pro of Dixie, Coastal Plains Farmers Coop, and DeMott Tractor Co. 

2024 District Poster contest winners

supervisors

meeting information

The Middle South Georgia Conservation District meets quarterly the first Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Tift County USDA Service Center, 1468 Carpenter Rd., Tifton, GA, 31793.

District Personnel

Leanne Hopper, GACD Regional Program Manager Southwest GA

leanne.chafin@gacd.us

706-436-7683

contact middle south georgia conservation district