John Redding of Walton County Inducted into National Conservation Hall of Distinction

February 14, 2022, Orlando, Florida-- John Redding of Walton County was recently inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Hall of Distinction at their Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on February 14. 

NACD created the Hall of Distinction to recognize and honor the organization's current and past leaders who have made major contributions to our nation's Conservation Movement.

Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), John Redding, Danny Hogan (GACD Board Member)

John Redding’s involvement with NACD and natural resources conservation began through his service with the Walton County Conservation District where he served as Chair for 31 years. John has served NACD in many capacities including representing the State of Georgia as a board member, committee chair, regional chair, executive board member, and treasurer.  He served as President of NACD from 2008-2009.  As President, he was an advocate for the conservation of the nation’s natural resources through testimony to the US House and Senate Agriculture Committees.  John was also selected by US Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack to serve as a panelist at the National Rural Summit and by President George W. Bush to participate in the Collaborative Conservation event in Washington, DC. John is the only Georgian to serve as President of NACD since its founding in 1946.

John owns a 500-acre farm in southwest Georgia where he implements soil and water conservation practices in the production of cotton, peanuts and timber. He currently serves as a representative on the Walton County Conservation District, Board Member Emeritus for the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), and Treasurer for the National Conservation Foundation.  He resides in Monroe and is married to the former Levon Wilkerson, father to Cynthia (Tom Walker) and Carly, and proud grandfather to Lucy. 

Pictured: Mark Masters (GACD President), John Redding, Danny Hogan (GACD Board Member)

Mark Masters of Terrell County Graduates from National Conservation Leadership Program

February 14, 2022 - Orlando, FL:  Mark Masters of Dawson, GA recently graduated from the Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI). He was honored at the National Association of Conservation Districts Leadership Luncheon held February 14 in Orlando, FL.

The goals of NGLI are to equip Conservation District leaders with personal, civic and organizational development so they can ensure future needs of resource management are met, and advocate for Conservation Districts and the challenges they face on the national level. 

Masters was part of the very first cohort of individuals to participate in this prestigious program and one of only two from the Southeastern United States.

Pictured is GACD President Mark Masters and his wife, Amy.

Mark also serves as President of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Vice- Chair of the Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District and the Director of the Georgia Water Policy and Planning Center in Albany. He resides in Dawson, GA with his wife Amy and daughters Lilly, Sally and Molly.

Luke Nichols Named GACD Scholarship Winner

GACD is excited to announce our 2022 Scholarship Winner is Luke Nichols of Enigma, Ga. Luke is currently a senior at Berrien County High School and will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the Fall where he will pursue a career in the field of Agricultural Engineering.

To encourage study and careers in soil and water conservation related fields, GACD administers one $1,000 scholarship each year. The scholarship is given to students majoring in, or intending to major in, a soil and water conservation related area. Acceptable areas of study include, but are not limited to, agricultural education, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology, and agricultural communications.

Mady Barnes Named GACD Operations Manager

The Board and Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) are pleased to announce Mady Barnes as Operations Manager. Mady has been a dedicated and invaluable member of the GACD team as an independent contractor serving as a District Program Assistant in 2018 and more recently as GACD's Project Coordinator.

Mady has been instrumental in the expansion of GACD goals and objectives. A small sampling of her work with GACD has been the creation and management of our Friend of Conservation program, establishment of partnerships and coordination of policy events with our state legislators, and assisting with the execution of many of GACD's conservation programs and initiatives.

In her new role as Operations Manager, she will play a hands-on role in executing GACD’s statewide conservation programs and objectives, and lead tasks essential to daily operations ensuring GACD’s effectiveness and efficiency. Her role will serve as a technical and professional resource both within and outside the Association, and she will work to provide oversight and management for ongoing operations including implementation and compliance related to GACD programs and outreach efforts.

Mady resides in Lizella, GA with her husband Bryan and daughter Paisley.

The mission of GACD 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. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

Robbie Faust of Terrell County Receives State Award for Conservation Efforts

Robbie Faust owner of Bellflower Farms located in Dawson, Georgia has been named the 2021 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation.

Robbie Faust

Pictured left to right: Tillman Faust, Robbie Faust, Brooks Faust, Jessi Faust, J.W. Faust

Faust is a third-generation farmer from Terrell County in Southwest Georgia. He and his family farm 1,800 acres of cotton, corn, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. Their operation includes an impressive conservation portfolio including measures to improve water quality and soil health, reduce the amount of water, fertilizer and other inputs used and maintain healthy wildlife and aquatic habitats on their property.

Soil health is a primary factor for the Faust’s in making their planting and management decisions. All the cotton and corn grown on their farm is strip-tilled resulting in reduced soil disturbance and erosion potential. Utilizing cereal rye as a cover crop also helps provide soil stability and capture some nutrients from the previous year’s cash crop. Additionally, soybeans and wheat are both planted with a no-till drill to disturb the least amount of soil or residue possible. Beginning in the fall of 2020, Robbie entered into a partnership with the Lower Chattahoochee Soil and Water Conservation District, Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council, UGA Extension and USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to participate in a multi-year cover crop outreach and education project. The Faust Family agreed to plant one of their irrigated fields into multiple cover crop research and demonstration plots to compare fertility, water use, yield and other factors across a variety of treatments. Beyond data collection on cover crop usage, the 65-acre site has been used to host education and outreach field days during 2021 and it’s anticipated the same location will be used for the remainder of the three-year project.

Beyond activities related to soil health, Robbie has implemented a host of other conservation measures across his operation. All the irrigation systems in use on their farm employ highly efficient low pressure, drop nozzle technology with the majority incorporating end-gun shut-off systems to prevent watering of non-cropped areas. The Fausts were also early advocates of utilizing Georgia’s agricultural metering program to gather highly accurate information on their water use and inform their water management decisions. Through partnerships and capitalizing on programs offered through NRCS, they have also established terraces and grassed waterways across their property, converted inefficient diesel pumping systems over to electricity, adopted variable rate fertilizer application technology and established a number of habitat plots that support local wildlife.

Robbie and his family embody the “commitment to conservation” this award was designed to acknowledge. By embracing best management practices and other technologies, his operation is a prime example that a strong conservation ethic can still translate to consistently good yields and productivity. More important, however, is Robbie’s position in the community as an early-adopter that is willing to share lessons- learned and participate in projects that promote conservation across the entire region. “The Faust Family displays the characteristics of ‘locally-led’ conservation that are critical to the past and future success of Conservation Districts throughout Georgia and nationwide,” noted Mark Masters, President of GACD. “We congratulate them on this honor and wish them luck as they compete to represent Georgia for the national Friend of Conservation award to be announced next month.”

The mission of GACD 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. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

2021 GACD Photo & Poster Contest Winners

POSTER CONTEST

K- 1st Grade Category:
Rhodes Sturdivant, 1st Grade, Pitner Elementary School, Acworth, GA
Submitted by Cobb County Conservation District

2nd- 3rd Grade Category:
Soraya Barajas, 3rd Grade, Eastvalley Elementary School, Marietta, GA
Submitted by Cobb County Conservation District

4th- 6th Grade Category:
Tariah Teasley, 5th Grade, North Jackson Elementary, Talmo, GA
Submitted by Oconee River Conservation District

7th- 9th Grade Category:
Rori Pepper, 8th Grade, Heritage Middle School, Ringgold, GA
Submitted by Catoosa County Conservation District

10th- 12th Grade Category:
Laura Ivey, 11th Grade, White County High School, Cleveland, GA

Submitted by Upper Chattahoochee River Conservation District

PHOTO CONTEST

Close Up Conservation:
"Symphony of Colors"
Kiran Reddy, 8th Grade, Citizens Christian Academy, Douglas, GA

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the Conservation Districts that participated!

Winners will all receive a cash prize and an invitation to attend GACD's Annual Meeting at Callaway Resort & Gardens in April.

2021 Fall STEM Challenge Winners

☆ 3rd Grade: Ms. Christie Holtman's class at East Fannin Elementary School, Fannin County

☆ 4th Grade: Ms. Alisa Nepp's class at Ringgold Elementary School, Catoosa County

☆ 5th Grade: Ms. Hannah Atcheson's class at Poole Elementary School, Paulding 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 Fall Challenge was focused on the relationship between forests and our communities.

Thank you to our partners at the Georgia Forestry Commission for providing the educational video and resources to our classroom participants!

How is the challenge structured? A bi-annual competition focusing on a real-world ag problem. Elementary classrooms (grades 3 - 5) across Georgia put their skills to the test as they compete to win. Each school receives a digital kit of resources and a tailored educational program for their students. The top 3 classrooms with the best solution can win a prize and be recognized for their effort!

If you are an Elementary School teacher that is interested in having your class participate in our Spring 2022 STEM Challenge, please let us know!

GACD Awarded Grant from Shaw Industry Groups

Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) recently received a generous grant from Shaw Industry Groups Inc. in the amount of $1,000 to go towards statewide conservation programs and initiatives. The Shaw Community Grant program works to better their local communities through charitable giving and focuses on a few platforms, one of which is local education relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (or STEAM). 

GACD Group I Vice President Wes Fogle says "Shaw Industry Groups has plants in many counties throughout the state of Georgia. I know firsthand that they are very supportive of their associates communities as well as promoting environmental health. We are so appreciative of Shaw’s contribution to GACD and their belief that our efforts to educate and implement conservation is beneficial to all communities in the state of Georgia.  We look forward to building this relationship throughout the years to come."

Thank you to Shaw!

Jim Waters of Pierce County and Chris Hopkins of Toombs County Elected to GACD Board

September 20, 2021:  At their virtual meeting on September 20, members of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) elected Jim Waters of Pierce County as GACD Group 4 Vice-President, and Chris Hopkins of Toombs County as GACD Group 4 Alternate Vice-President. Group 4 Vice-Presidents serve on the Board of Directors for GACD in representation of the seven Soil and Water Conservation Districts spanning 42 counties across Southeast Georgia.

Mr. Jim Waters owns and operates Waters Farms, a 1,000-acre farm located in Blackshear, Georgia. Waters Farms has a cotton, blueberry, peanut, pecan, and corn operation that carries a family history story that dates back to several generations. Mr. Waters says, “he wants to make sure that we all have sustainable water for the future and a good environment so that we are leaving earth in a better place for our kids and beyond.” He implements several conservation practices on his farm including strip till, and he plants pecans and grass to reduce the impacts of soil erosion. He manages his water usage by the installation of retro fits on pivots.

Jim Waters, GACD Group 4 Vice- President

Mr. Jim Waters has been married to his wife, JerriAnn, for 25 years and they have two children. His daughter, Katie, attends college in Athens and his son, AJ attends the local high school. Mr. Waters is also the Chairman for the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District where he has served since 2013.

Mr. Chris Hopkins is no stranger when it comes to farming. He got his start in the private cotton consulting business in 1995 and remained in that business for the next eight years. In 2004, he began to start farming on his own and established Hopkins Farms in Lyons, Georgia. During that time, he was a county Extension Agent and was farming on the side. Mr. Hopkins currently farms 17 crops measuring approximately 1,400 acres where he grows cotton, peanuts, corn, rye, and occasionally watermelons. He has a deep love for conservation and states, “to sum it up, conservation is my passion. My goal in farming is to be profitable and to leave this land better than we found it. I preach, teach, and stress the importance of conservation to kids with the many tours that I do throughout the year. I want to be a steward of our land and our resources so that hopefully future generations will have the opportunity to do what we are doing.” The current conservation practices that are being used on Mr. Hopkins farms are 100% cover crop, 100% strip tillage, quite a bit of terraces and waterways, irrigation metering devices including retrofitting from high pressure to low pressure settings using drops, and converting diesel fuel into electric.

Chris Hopkins, GACD Group 4 Alternate Vice- President

Mr. Chris Hopkins has been married to his wife, Marilynn, for 15 years and they have two boys, Banks age 12 and Luke age 8. He is currently a member of the Georgia Cotton Commission, President of Toombs County Farm Bureau, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Ameris Bank - Vidalia Branch, Vice-Chairman for the Robert Toombs Christian Academy School Board, and the finance committee for the Lyons First Baptist Church. He has served as a District Supervisor for Ohoopee River Soil and Water Conservation District since 2009.

The mission of GACD 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. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.

GACD AND GEORGIA DOT PARTNER FOR BEAUTIFICATION AND POLLINATOR EDUCATION EFFORTS

ATLANTA, GA – The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is partnering with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) to install 15 pollinator habitat sites in designated locations across the state to educate Georgians on the important role pollinators play in Georgia Agriculture. Specific locations are currently being identified.

"This partnership provides Georgia DOT with the unique opportunity to create a safe and beautiful place for families and travelers to get up close and personal with the wildflowers and grasses native to Georgia and learn about how they impact the world around us," said Felicity Davis, landscape architect manager with Georgia DOT. "We carefully considered the locations for these gardens and with pedestrian safety in mind, we determined the best option would be at rest areas and Welcome Centers across the state."

GACD received grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA- NRCS) to install pollinator habitat sites and promote further establishment of such gardens by landowners throughout the state. Through a Memorandum of Agreement, Georgia DOT and GACD entered into a partnership to fulfill the requirements of the grant. GACD will provide funding to Georgia DOT's Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Fund, and the department will then install and maintain the gardens. Educational signage will be provided and maintained by GACD. Plantings must be complete by August 2022.

"Pollinator plants and insects not only play a critical role in supporting our state's environment and agriculture, but with the specific mix of wildflowers and native grass being planted, the gardens will also provide year-round interest and habitat for insects and small animals," said Mark Masters, GACD president. "We are excited this partnership has come to fruition and look forward to getting the gardens installed."

Travelers who visit the gardens at the designated rest areas and Welcome Centers can expect to see blooms in just a few months, and will see new varieties every season. Georgians can contribute to Georgia DOT's Roadside Enhancement and Beautification Fund in their own way by donating directly to the fund or by purchasing a wildflower license plate through the Department of Driver Services.

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.

The mission of GACD 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. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve.