☆ 3rd Grade: Ms. Jennifer Carroll's QUEST class at Roopville Elementary School, Carroll County
What is the STEM Challenge you ask? The Challenge is a program brought to you by the Georgia Ag Experience, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture and Georgia Farm Bureau's Ag-in-the-Classroom in partnership with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD). It was developed to help expose elementary teachers and students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) involved in agricultural production of food and fiber. The Challenge helps students recognize their role in agriculture by exposing them to real-world problems that they can help solve. The Spring Challenge was focused on soil health.
THAD RUSH OF FLOYD COUNTY HONORED FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO COOSA RIVER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Davis Nelson (left), Chair of Coosa River Conservation District, with Thad Rush(right)
Thaddeus “Thad” Rush of Floyd County was recently honored for his 50 years of service as a District Supervisor for the Coosa River Soil and Water Conservation District. He was presented a plaque and service pin by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts at the District meeting held in Calhoun on April 27.
Mr. Rush is a graduate of Model High School and attended North Georgia College. He is a veteran of the United States Army. Upon completing his military service, he had one desire and that was to farm. He currently has a poultry operation and a registered angus herd in Rome, GA. He was appointed as a Supervisor representing Floyd County on the Coosa River Soil and Water Conservation District in 1971.
Thad believes in the importance of soil and water conservation on his farm and has worked with the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Rome to plan and develop conservation practices that help protect and conserve natural resources. Practices include building stack houses and energy upgrades to his poultry farm, and integrating herbaceous weed control, cross fencing for rotational grazing and heavy use areas on his cattle operation.
“GACD congratulates Mr. Rush on this outstanding achievement and thanks him for his half-century of service as a conservation leader and ambassador,” said Mark Masters, President of GACD. “His conservation story is inspiring and certainly worthy of this honor and recognition.”
Mr. Rush is a previous board member for Floyd County Farm Bureau and also served on the Rome- Floyd Planning Commission. Thad and his wife Nancy reside in Rome and have three children and eight grandchildren. He is a member of Rush Chapel United Methodist Church.
The Coosa River Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Bartow, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Paulding, Polk, and Walker Counties. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, and with other governmental entities 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/coosariver .
DISTRICT SUPERVISORS APPOINTED CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF GEORGIA SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION BOARD
ORIGINALLY POSTED BY OUR PARTNERS AT GEORGIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION, APRIL 15—-Mitch Attaway, Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), is pleased to announce that at their March 17 virtual meeting, the Board of Commissioners of GSWCC voted unanimously to appoint Bob Martin Chair of the Board and Vikki Consiglio Vice-Chair of the Board.
Bob Martin is an agribusiness man and self-employed farmer in Irwin County. He serves on the Local Farm Service Agency Committee for the Ben Hill-Irwin office and is a District Supervisor for the Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Vikki Townsend Consiglio has served as the Executive Director of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association for twenty-four years. She has over thirty years of foundation and corporate board experience serving on a multitude of construction industry, civic, and religious boards. In 2012, she was elected to serve as a District Supervisor for the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District. She also serves as the Treasurer of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts.
Martin has served on the Board since 2015 and Consiglio has served since 2020.
The Board of Commissioners of GSWCC is appointed by the Governor of the State of Georgia. The Board governs the conservation of soil and water resources and activities in the State. More information can be found at www.gaswcc.georgia.gov .
Bob Marin, Chair, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
Vikki Consiglio, Vice- Chair, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission
GEORGIA AGENCIES PARTNER TO HOST FERAL SWINE EDUCATION EVENTS
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 two separate workshops and trapping demonstration opportunities on the following date:
May 20 at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center in Midville, GA
Morning Workshop at 8:45 am- 12:00 pm
Afternoon Workshop at 1:45 pm- 5:00 pm
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. Each workshop 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. COVID precautions will be followed. Additional workshop opportunities will be announced soon. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events.
2021 Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) Registration OPEN!
Available to Georgia’s Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. This workshop focuses on the value, protection, and conservation of Georgia’s wildlife, forestry, soil, and water resources, including conservation in Georgia’s mining industry. The workshop provides students with a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers through their counselors and instructors.
Dates of NRCW are June 27-July 2, 2021
Camp takes place at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA
Students scoring well on the workshop exam may be awarded a college scholarship. A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on exam scores and specific scholarship guidelines and criteria. GACD in partnership with Georgia's Conservation Districts, will be awarding two $6,500 scholarships to the top scoring students at camp.
Camp features field trips, classroom instruction, and recreational activities.
Due to COVID restrictions, Workshop attendance this year is reduced to 80 students.
Registration is completely online at www.abac.edu/nrcw . No paper applications are being accepted. Registration fees and transportation options are provided by local Conservation Districts.
If you have any questions regarding the Workshop or registration procedure, please contact Michelle Boone, GACD Program Manager and NRCW Director, at michelle@gacd.us or 478-298-3087.
Georgia Victorious over Florida in Supreme Court Water Battle
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed Georgia a victory in their eight-year Supreme Court battle with Florida over water use in the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. The Court’s unanimous ruling noted that, “Florida failed to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the collapse of its oyster fisheries was caused by Georgia’s overconsumption.” The Court also found no “clear and convincing evidence that Georgia overconsumption has harmed river wildlife and plant life by disconnecting tributaries, swamps, and sloughs from the Apalachicola River, thereby drying out important habitats for river species.”
Mark Masters, President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, expressed relief that the case had reached a conclusion and noted the importance of Georgia’s water conservation efforts in the eventual outcome. “Georgia presented strong evidence with regard to water conservation efforts in both our municipal and agricultural sectors,” said Masters. “GACD and our member Districts should be proud of the role they’ve played in writing and telling that conservation story.” Looking forward, Mark noted, “Our Association and the Conservation District Supervisors we represent look forward to leading the way in further strengthening our water conservation and stewardship efforts.”
The ruling in its entirety may be found HERE.
Check out GACD's 2021 Legislative Update Video!
GACD hosted a legislative update luncheon on March 25, 2021 where we were honored to have Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Executive Director Mitch Attaway, Senate Natural Resources & Environment Chairman Tyler Harper and Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Chairman Larry Walker join us to provide remarks and legislative updates to our Conservation District Supervisors.
As the 2021 session comes to an end, GACD would like to thank our legislative partners for their time and service to our state, and for their dedication to resource conservation in Georgia.
OHOOPEE RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT NOW OFFERING FERAL SWINE CONTROL SERVICES
The Ohoopee River Conservation District is excited to announce their participation in the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts’ (GACD) Feral Swine District Initiative. Landowners located within Emanuel, Montgomery, Toombs, Treutlen, and Wheeler counties are invited to participate in the District’s feral swine control services.
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 over $150 million. Feral swine are one of the greatest invasive species challenges facing Georgia.
Following an Initiative spearheaded by the Brier Creek Conservation District, Conservation Districts throughout Georgia are partnering with GACD to acquire feral swine control equipment and are contracting with local Hog Control Custodians to eradicate feral swine within the District.
Lynn Jonnson, Chair of the Ohoopee River Conservation District, says, “Due to the tremendous financial and informational assistance of GACD, we have been able to purchase a Jager Pro feral hog trapping system for our District. Feral hogs have caused tremendous damage to crops, to our land and landscapes, as well as polluting our water resources. Through this program, we hope to be part of controlling and eradicating these pests.”
The Ohoopee River Conservation District serves as the local voice for soil and water conservation with producers and landowners in Emmanual, Montgomery, Toombs, Treutlen, and Wheeler counties.
If you are interested in hog control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, John McDonald, Jr. at 912-245-2173 or mcdonald40697@gmail.com. For more information about GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative, visit www.gacd.us/feralswine, email info@gacd.us or call 1-833-411-GACD.
Pictured above is a map depicting in pink all the Conservation Districts currently offering feral swine control services.
GACD Awarded Georgia Power Grant
GACD recently received a generous grant from the Georgia Power Foundation in the amount of $10,000 to go toward our statewide Feral Swine and Pollinator Initiatives. The Georgia Power Charitable Giving program works to give back to local communities through grants to programs and organizations that serve and improve the lives of the state's residents.
GACD Executive Director Katie Sponberger says "We are so appreciative for this opportunity and ability to strengthen our Feral Swine and Pollinator efforts. We are very thankful for Georgia Power's contribution and really look forward to building this relationship throughout the years to come. We are in the process of reviewing possible projects to implement with this funding and will be excited to announce those soon."
Our Feral Swine program works in partnership with local Conservation Districts across Georgia and other agencies, and is leading multiple efforts to address the growing problem of invasive feral swine. The efforts include providing outreach and education via public workshops, and the Feral Swine District Initiative, which equips districts with traps to help directly reduce the hogs and has removed over 5,000 hogs to date.
The Pollinator Initiative is working to plant gardens and habitats across the state that will provide healthy habitats for pollinator species and help to increase pollinator presence.
Thank you to Georgia Power and be on the lookout for future announcements regarding our projects!
GACD sponsors Georgia Ag Experience STEM Challenge for elementary schools
MACON, Ga. – Georgia elementary classes in third through fifth grades are being challenged to put their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to work to explore the real-world issue that farmers face of maintaining soil health. Elementary teachers and their students may enter the Soil Health Explorers STEM Challenge competition between March 1- May 14 for the chance to win a prize package totaling $350 for their class. The top grade winner from the third, fourth and fifth grade entries will win a prize package. The winners will be announced via a Zoom presentation on May 21.
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), a non-profit organization that promotes the conservation of natural resources, is sponsoring the statewide competition, which is being coordinated by the Georgia Ag Experience (GAE) and Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA).
Teachers interested in participating in the Soil Health Explorers STEM Challenge may visit www.gfb.ag/stemchallenge for more information and to register for the program. Once teachers register their class, they will receive instant access to a digital resource toolkit that equips the class for participating in the soil health stem challenge.
“The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is excited to partner with the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture on its first statewide STEM Challenge,” said GACD Executive Director Katie Sponberger. “This challenge, which focuses on soil and water conservation, will help students understand and appreciate Georgia’s vibrant and diverse natural resources and learn how to conserve those resources for future generations.”
Each participating class is being asked to answer the question “How can we improve soil biodiversity and overall soil health?” The stem challenge asks participating classes to: 1) Develop an initial report that examines a plot of land where they will study the soil and perform a series of tests on the soil to determine the land’s current soil health status. 2) Reach out to their local Farm Bureau office, Natural Resources Conservation Service office and/or UGA Extension office for assistance or speakers to discuss soil health with their class. 3) Create a presentation on how to improve their soil and understand the real world impact for their plot of land. Class presentations must be uploaded to the challenge portal for judging before May 14.
PAGE 2 OF 2 PAGES
“We developed the STEM challenge as a way to connect elementary students to Georgia agriculture. Every year students will have a new opportunity to solve a real world ag problem with a different community partner” said GFA Executive Director Lily Baucom.
The Georgia Ag Experience/Georgia Foundation for Agriculture STEM Challenge is designed to be a bi-annual competition with a spring and fall contest. The GACD is the 2021 challenge sponsor.
The purpose of the challenge is to encourage elementary teachers and students in grades 3-5 to explore aspects of Georgia agriculture by applying their STEM skills to solve real-world problems that farmers face in producing our food and fiber.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA AG EXPERIENCE: The GAE is a mobile classroom, created by the GFA, that is housed in a 36-foot trailer, to give third through fifth-grade students and the public a chance to visit a poultry house, cattle pasture, stand of timber, horticulture nursery, a produce stand full of fresh Georgia fruit, vegetables and pecans, cotton and peanut fields. Colorful farm photos, interactive technology and displays of products made from the various ag commodities highlight the importance of Georgia agriculture to our daily lives. All exhibits and lessons that are part of the GAE mobile classroom have been professionally designed to meet STEM curriculum standards.
The Georgia Ag Experience began visiting schools in South Georgia in January with plans to travel across the state by the end of the year. For more information about the Georgia Ag Experience visit www.georgiaagexperience.org.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA FOUNDATION for AGRICULTURE: The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders for success in Georgia agriculture. The GFA works with Georgia Farm Bureau and other Georgia agricultural and educational organizations to achieve its mission. The foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing agricultural careers, funds leadership development programs and projects that increase the public’s understanding of agriculture. To make a tax-deductible donation, learn more about the foundation or the scholarships, visit www.gafoundationag.org or contact Lily Baucom at info@gafoundation.org or 478-405-3461.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION of CONSERVATION DISTRICTS: The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is a grassroots non-profit organization representing 40 conservation districts in Georgia. All 159 counties in Georgia are part of a local conservation district. For over 75 years, the organization's members have volunteered in each district to promote conservation, educate citizens about the importance of conservation, and inform policy makers about natural resource issues. GACD's 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. Learn more by visiting www.gacd.us/ .