Conservation District Day at the Capitol

We had a great morning at our FIRST EVER Conservation District Day at the Capitol! Around 60 Supervisors and staff in attendance met with members of the Legislature to share the story of Conservation Districts and what the Districts need to continue promoting natural resource stewardship.

District Supervisors and GACD Staff with Governor Brian Kemp

Governor Kemp also declared February 26, 2019 as Conservation District Day in Georgia!

Thank you to all the District Supervisors and our partners at USDA-NRCS and Georgia Farm Bureau for attending. A special thank you to our DPAs for coming and helping to represent their districts!

We would also like to thank the following members of the Georgia Legislature for all they do for our great state and for stopping by to address our group: Senator Tyler Harper, Senator Brian Strickland, Senator Frank Ginn, Representative Matt Dubnik, Representative Clay Pirkle, Representative Matt Hatchett, Representative Karen Mathiak, and Representative Don Hogan.

GACD Board Members, District Supervisors and USDA- NRCS State Conservationist with Governor Brian Kemp holding our proclamation for Conservation District Day in Georgia.

GACD now accepting submissions for Poster and Photo Contest

The annual GACD Poster Contest provides students from kindergarten through 12th grade the chance to have their art displayed as part of a national conservation outreach initiative. Each year, the winning posters reflect the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) annual Stewardship theme and highlight the work of Conservation Districts to protect and enhance natural resources.

2019 Stewardship theme

The GACD Photo Contest is open to all amateur photographers who reside in Georgia. Contestants are allowed to enter as many as five photos each year that each fit into one of the following four categories:

Conservation Practices, Close-up Conservation, Conservation in Action, Agriculture and Conservation Across Georgia. One winner will be selected for each category and age division (adults are ages 19 and older).

Both contests start at the local District level; winners advance to the state competition, and then to the national level, where winners receive recognition and a cash prize at the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Annual Meeting.  All state winners will receive recognition and a cash prize at GACD’s Annual Meeting.  State level winning photos will be on display at the State USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Athens, GA and used in future publications.

Posters and photos are due by May 31, 2019.

If you are interested in participating, visit www.gacd.us/education or contact your local Conservation District.

Forsyth, GA Farmer receives National Award

James Vaughn was named the 2019 “Friend of Conservation” by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) at their Annual Meeting Appreciation Banquet on February 5. This award “recognizes an individual, business or agency for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources.” Mr. James Vaughn, owner and operator of Vaughn Farms, LP, was nominated for this esteemed honor by the Towaliga Conservation District and the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts.

Based out of Forsyth, Georgia, Vaughn Farms is a family-owned and operated large scale cattle and forestry operation recognized for decades of farm conservation practices and sustainable development in Monroe County. The Vaughn family's decades-long partnership with the Towaliga Conservation District and the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has led to preserving the family farm for decades to come and continues to highlight the benefits of the Farm Bill on the local level to farmers and producers throughout the state of Georgia.

Mr. Vaughn gives a great deal of credit for his farm preservation and his knowledge of conservation to USDA-NRCS District Conservationist Carmen Westerfield out of the USDA Service Center in Barnesville, GA. Mrs. Westerfield has worked with Vaughn Farms for decades to design and implement longstanding conservation practices on his farm.

The Towaliga Conservation District has proudly served Butts, Fayette, Monroe, Pike, Spalding and Upson Counties since 1944, providing technical assistance, conservation education and community outreach to conserve the area’s natural resources for future generations. More information can be found at www.gacd.us/towaliga .

James Vaughn, NACD’s 2019 Friend of Conservation with Brent Van Dyke, NACD President.

Left to Right: GACD’s NACD Representative Danny Hogan, Beth and James Vaughn, NACD Past President John Redding & Levon Redding, GACD President Woody Snell

District Supervisors Honored for Years of Service

We are lucky to have a number of individuals willing to make long-term commitments as District Supervisors on the boards of their local Conservation Districts. Supervisors who attended GACD’s Annual Meeting were recognized and presented service pins at the luncheon held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

 Group 1:

Dell MacGregor, Dekalb County Conservation District, 20 years

Davis Nelson, Coosa River Conservation District, 20 years

Woody Snell, Cobb County Conservation District, 20 years

Paul Nealey, Limestone Valley Conservation District, 40 years

Group 2:

Kenneth Beasley, Upper Chattahoochee River Conservation District, 10 years

Dewey Johnson, Oconee River Conservation District, 10 years

George Lyons, Upper Chattahoochee River Conservation District, 10 years

Group 3:

Andy Bush, Lamar County Conservation District, 10 years

Christina Carrell, Walton County Conservation District, 10 years

Lynn Parker, Lamar County Conservation District, 10 years

Dan Bennett, Walton County Conservation District, 20 years

Tommy Presley, Towaliga Conservation District, 20 years

Group 5:

Jerry Holcomb, Coastal Georgia Conservation District, 10 years

Lynn Johnson, Ohoopee River Conservation District, 10 years

Bob Monroe, Coastal Georgia Conservation District, 10 years

Tabatha Wooten, Altamaha Conservation District, 10 years

GACD President, Woody Snell, Inducted into Hall of Fame

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is proud to announce the induction of Woody Snell into the Hall of Fame. This prestigious recognition highlights District Supervisors who have dedicated many years of service to natural resource conservation.  Snell was recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Woody Snell received his Master of Science in Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Clemson University. He has been actively involved in real estate development for over 25 years and serves as the President of Lynwood Development Group, a real estate development and investment company that specializes in environmentally sustainable and pedestrian friendly communities. Snell has managed the successful completion of more than 70 communities consisting of over 3,000 acres and about 10,000 lots. Most recently Woody was the master developer of West Village which was recognized as The Development of Excellence by both the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) and the Livable Communities Coalition (LCC).

 Woody currently serves as GACD’s President and has been instrumental in advancing and growing the organization. He has been a District Supervisor with the Cobb County Conservation District for 20 years. In addition, He is the past Chairman of the Council for Quality Growth and active member Cobb County Development Standards Board.

 Georgia’s 40 Conservation Districts are organized under state law to carry out the State’s conservation programs. The Districts provide information and education to implement practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources. Conservation districts are local people solving local problems. Board meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is a nonprofit whose mission 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.

Water Conservation Advocate Inducted into GACD Hall of Fame

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is proud to announce the induction of Fox McCarthy into the Hall of Fame. This prestigious recognition highlights District Supervisors who have dedicated many years of service to natural resource conservation.  McCarthy was recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Fox McCarthy earned a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Georgia in 1989.  He has been a District Supervisor for the Rockdale County Conservation District for 24 years, and currently serves as Chair. Throughout his career he has worked closely with UGA Extension, the Water Authority of Cobb County-Marietta, and was a founding member of the Georgia Water Wise Council (GWCC). The GWCC is a non-profit partnership of government, education, business and private citizen entities with the purpose of promoting water conservation and water quality programs. In 2004 to commemorate Fox’s 10 years of service with the GWCC the Council established the Fox McCarthy Water Wise Award.  This award recognizes an outstanding project or program implemented by a water provider or a water user in Georgia.

In addition, Fox served on the Education Committee of the Georgia Water and Pollution Control Association, the Water Conservation Division of the American Water Works Association, the National Water Conservation Committee, the Georgia Green Industry Association, Water Environment Federation and the Water Supply Task Force of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

He has served as Co-Chair of the Rockdale County Water and Sewage Authority and helped to draft the County Tree Ordinance.  He has also worked as a volunteer with the Rockdale County Extension Service. 

Fox McCarthy has been a beacon for water conservation in Georgia, and many of his concepts were included in the Metro North Georgia Water Conservation plans, and the Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010.     

Georgia’s 40 Conservation Districts are organized under state law to carry out the State’s conservation programs. The Districts provide information and education to implement practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources. Conservation districts are local people solving local problems. Board meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is a nonprofit whose mission 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.

GACD Announces Jerry Holcomb as Supervisor of the Year

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is pleased to announce Jerry Holcomb as 2019 District Supervisor of the Year. Holcomb was recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Each year, GACD presents an award to a Supervisor who is recognized as providing superior leadership and support of natural resource stewardship.  Jerry Holcomb serves as GACD’s Group 5 Vice President and also as a District Supervisor for the Coastal Georgia Conservation District which covers Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, Long and McIntosh Counties. Jerry’s strong leadership has produced the most active Group in the state that leads all other Groups in attendance and participation at GACD Group Meetings. He also serves as Chair of the GACD Policy Committee where he has led a tireless effort to get the story of Georgia’s Conservation Districts out to members of the Georgia House and Senate.

Georgia’s 40 Conservation Districts are organized under state law to carry out the State’s conservation programs. The Districts provide information and education to implement practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources. Conservation districts are local people solving local problems. Board meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is a nonprofit whose mission 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.

GACD names Towaliga Conservation District as District of the Year

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is pleased to announce the Towaliga Conservation District as the 2019 District of the Year. Towaliga Conservation District proudly serves the counties of Butts, Fayette, Monroe, Pike, Spalding and Upson. The District was recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

District Supervisor Tommy Presley with the District of the Year Award on behalf of the Towaliga Conservation District

After coordinating and attending more than a dozen combined field days and outreach events sponsored by partner organizations, the Towaliga Conservation District has proven itself to be a pillar of the community that it has committedly served since the early 1940’s. One of this district’s major field days for the 2018 year featured the highlights of the Farm Bill on the local level. This event was attended by dozens of interested citizens, young farmers and several legislative leaders. After such a successful year, it is evident that this District is committed to spreading the message of conservation and assisting its citizens for generations to come.

The Award was accepted by District Supervisor Tommy Presley on behalf of the Towaliga Conservation District.

Georgia’s 40 Conservation Districts are organized under state law to carry out the State’s conservation programs. The Districts provide information and education to implement practices that decrease soil erosion and protect water resources. Conservation districts are local people solving local problems. Board meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is a nonprofit whose mission 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.

GACD Presents Award for Superior Professional Support

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is pleased to announce Frank Riley, Executive Director of the Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D, as the recipient of the 2019 Superior Professional Support Award. Riley was recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Each year, GACD presents an award to an individual recognized as providing superior leadership and support of soil and water conservation in GA. In addition to being Executive Director of Chestatee- Chattahoochee RC&D, Frank Riley also serves as the State’s Firewise Liaison, is a developer and administrator of the Appalachian FAC Coalition, and a Volunteer Firefighter and local Bus Driver Hiawassee, GA.  Mr. Riley works countless hours helping Conservation Districts, FFA Chapters, Colleges, and the Georgia Forestry Commission host Field Days and educate the public about a variety of topics including Wildfires, Honey Bee Pollinators, High Tunnels, Farmers Markets, Fruit and Vegetable Crops, Small Farms, No-Till, Forestry, Erosion Control, Cover Crops, Beef Cattle and more. Anyone who has worked with Frank has seen his dedication and passion for conservation. He is always willing to provide a helping hand and strives to be at every event that he can fit into his schedule. He is truly an amazing supporter of conservation work.

Kim McCollum and 2019 Superior Professional Support Award Recipient Frank Riley

Local Students Win GACD Scholarships

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is pleased to announce the winners of the GACD Scholarship and GACD Auxiliary Scholarship. Scholarship winners were recognized at GACD’s Hall of Fame Banquet held January 19 at Lake Lanier Islands Resort.

Sadie Lackey

GACD awards an annual scholarship of $1000 to encourage study and careers in soil and water conservation related fields. Awards will be given to students majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation related area. This year’s GACD Scholarship recipient is Sadie Lackey from Ellijay, GA. Sadie is enrolled at the University of Georgia and plans to graduate with a degree in Agriculture Communication. Her long-term goals include becoming a press secretary or communications director for an elected official in the agricultural sector.

Addie Tucker

The GACD Auxiliary provides a $500.00 scholarship to a deserving recipient.  This year’s Auxiliary scholarship recipient is Addie Tucker from Fitzgerald, GA. Addie is enrolled as a Masters student in Agriscience Education at Auburn University. Her goal is to teach ag education and FFA in a public-school setting. Addie says that furthering her education will allow her to be a better teacher to her students at Wilcox County High School.