GACD Group 2 Elects Vice Presidents

At their Group Meeting on October 24, 2023, members of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) elected Ricky Yarbrough of Jones County as GACD Group 2 Vice-President, and Howard (Sonny) Turner of Walton County as GACD Group 2 Alternate Vice-President. They will each serve two year terms and represent the Northeast area of the state on the GACD Board.

Ricky Yarbrough

Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District(SWCD) Supervisor for Jones County, Ricky Yarbrough was first elected to the Piedmont SWCD in 2012 and has served continuously since. Mr. Yarbrough resides in the Bradley Community and is the owner of Cherry Ridge Farms Land and Cattle which he established in 1988 and utilizes many conservation practices in many areas of the farm. He is a former Federal Civil Servant with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management retiring with over 34 years of service as a Computer Specialist. He served as President of the Baldwin-Jones-Putnam Cattlemen's Association from 2010 through 2012 and again from 2015 through 2022. He is a member of National Cattlemen, Georgia Cattlemen, American Hereford Association, National Wild Turkey Federation and serves as an agricultural advisor for the local Cooperative Extension office and the Jones County FFA where he is a member of the FFA Alumni. After retiring, Mr. Yarbrough has been a strong advocate for soil and water conservation in Jones County.

Sonny Turner

Howard (Sonny) Turner was appointed to the Walton County Conservation District in 2010 where he has served for 13 years. Mr. Turner began his career in Agriculture Education and later worked for Walton EMC where he retired having spent a lifelong career in Member Services and Supervision. After retirement, he turned to conservation. His efforts toward conservation in Walton County begin with youth. He is known for taking high school students under his wings and giving them resources to succeed in the agriculture and conservation fields. He spearheads scholarship opportunities and is a fierce supporter of sending students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) every year where he attended the very first NRCW in 1962. He shares conservation efforts with local farmers and teaches them about erosion control, invasive species, and pond management and gives tours on his own farm to share his knowledge. Mr. Turner serves on many state and local leadership boards and is completely dedicated to the conservation efforts in Walton County and the Northeast Region of Georgia.

GACD Group 4 Elects Vice Presidents

At their Group Meeting on September 19th, 2023 members of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Elected Andrew Standard of Liberty County as GACD Group 4 Vice-President, and Glenn Cook of Glynn County as GACD Group 4 Alternate Vice- President.

Andrew Standard

Andrew Standard was born in Fort Stewart, Georgia.  His grandparents were landowners at Taylors Creek, until the Federal Government relocated all civilians and farmers to Tattnall and surrounding Counties.  This was done to make the largest Military Base East of the Mississippi River {over a quarter of a million acres}.  He was an Army brat and spent his early years in Germany where his dad was stationed.  After that he returned to Liberty County to go to school and work at the family farms in Tattnall County.  His father had three tours in Vietnam and during that time he lived with both sets of grandparents who were dirt farmers.  To date the family farms are still part of his life.  Six hundred acres are part planted with pine and part in cultivation.  Along with that he has his own farm in Gum Branch Liberty County where he focuses on tree farming, a small acreage of cultivation, and habitat for the deer and turkey.  His early years on the row crop farms {primarily tobacco, peanuts, watermelons, and soybeans} gave him lifelong lessons about working hard regardless of if in the field or behind the desk.  Those first 20 years of his life led him to give 110 percent, do an honest day's work, and help his fellow man.  Those were the morals that were instilled through the early times and Andrew still abides by them today. Andrew has been an appointed District Supervisor representing Liberty County for the Coastal Conservation District since 2019. 

Glenn Cook

In 1978, Glenn entered the U.S. Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, FL. The U.S. Navy designated him a Naval Aviator in 1980. During the Cold War, Lieutenant Commander Cook flew the carrier-based S-3 Viking aboard the USS Eisenhower. Following active service, he served three years in the naval reserves at NAS Atlanta, attached to the USS Saratoga. Delta Air Lines hired Glenn in 1985, where he flew the B-727, DC-8, L-1011, B-737, MD 88, B-757, B-767, and the B-777. He held positions in management, training, and the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) and served as a Line Check Airman for almost ten years. During the first years of his airline career, Glenn attended Atlanta Law School and passed the bar in 1992. Glenn received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. Glenn is an active member of the Georgia Bar and admitted to practice before the United States District Court and the Department of Veterans Affairs and admitted and qualified before the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court of Georgia also certified Glenn as a general and family law mediator.

Glenn is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association (president 2016–2017), and the International Air and Transportation Safety Bar Association. He was the past president of the Atlanta Wake Forest Alumni Club and an active member of the Wake Forest Alumni Council. He retired from the airlines in April 2020 and is now focusing on practicing law using cloud-based technologies. Glenn is a four-time Ironman and actively competes in triathlons around the world. Glenn is married to Wendy, and they live on Jekyll Island, GA, with their dog Deac and two cats, Smoky and Rocky. Their son, Sam, is a Marine Aviator flying to F35 and lives with his wife, Kristen, in Iwakuni, Japan. He has served as an elected District Supervisor representing Glynn County since January 2023.

As Group 4 Vice- President and Alternate, Standard and Cook serve on the Board of Directors for GACD in representation of the 7 Soil and Water Conservation Districts spanning 42 counties across Southeast Georgia.

GACD NAMES ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

August 8, 2023 - Savannah, GA – The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts held their annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 during their Annual Meeting to honor and award those individuals who have gone above and beyond to further conservation efforts for our state. The awards are Superior Professional Support, District of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Urban Conservationist of the Year and Conservationist of the Year. 

Each year, GACD presents an award to an individual recognized as providing superior support to soil and water Conservation Districts in Georgia. This year the GACD Superior Professional Support recipient is Tixie Fowler with the Gwinnett County Conservation District. Tixie has written and received funding for two large grants for the District; one called the ‘Urban Conservation Toolbox Grant’ for $166,000 and the other ‘The Bridge Grant’ for $195,500. Tixie involved the district with a partnership with Mercer University that led to the creation of an AgSTEM project. One of Tixie’s most successful accomplishments has been the leadership she has shown with developing district sponsorship and involvement in the very successful Crayfish Creek Restoration Project. She has created educational videos for students and has hosted numerous educational workshops for youth, adults, and educators. Her dedication to the district and her community is to be commended. Tixie was nominated for this award by the Gwinnett County Conservation District. Thank you and congratulations to Tixie Fowler for her dedicated service!

Pictured: Louis Young, David Van Landingham, Ellis Lamme, and Tixie Fowler

In appreciation of District Supervisors’ commitment to the protection of Georgia’s natural resources, GACD presents a Supervisor of the Year award annually at Annual Meeting. The award recognizes exemplary achievements, leadership, and service to GACD, NACD, and local communities. This year, Sonny Turner, District Supervisor representing Walton County Conservation District, is the 2023 Supervisor of the Year. Mr. Sonny Turner has been a District Supervisor since 2010.  Mr. Turner’s efforts toward conservation in Walton County begin with the youth. He is known for taking high school students under his wings and giving them resources to succeed in the agriculture and conservation fields. He spearheads scholarship opportunities and is a fierce supporter of sending students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop every year. He also takes pride in sharing the benefits of conservation to local farmers. He frequently gives tours on his family farm in Greene County to highlight the use of conservation practices such as erosion control, invasive species management, and pond  management. He serves on many state and local leadership positions including Alternate Vice President for GACD Group 2. Sonny is completely dedicated to the success of the Conservation District and conservation efforts in Walton County and is much deserving of this award. Sonny was nominated for this award by the Walton County Conservation District. Thank You and congratulations to Sonny Turner for his dedicated service!

Pictured: Jake Ford, Sonny Turner, and his wife, Bonnie Turner

The District of the Year award was established by GACD and the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2001 to recognize the Conservation District in Georgia which best plans, implements, and reports a conservation program in a given year. GACD is excited to recognize the Coastal Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District as the 2023 District of the Year. The Coastal Conservation District has been a consistent leader in their community by providing conservation based educational opportunities for local producers and students. The District has led and hosted multiple workshops including level 1a renewal course, estate planning, conservation practices field day at Fort Stewart, and a feral swine control workshop. They also participate in GACD’s Feral Swine Trapping program and offer trapping services to landowners throughout the District. They support local youth conservation education by mentoring FFA students and providing them with opportunities to learn more about forestry, supporting 4H pollinator habitat efforts, and participating in GACD’s Poster and Photo Contest. Congratulations to GACD’s 2023 District of the Year, Coastal Georgia!

Pictured: Katelyn Poppell, Cecil Stanford, Ed Zipperer, Andrew Standard, and Jerry Holcomb.

GACD has a new award this year to recognize urban conservationists for their exemplary work and strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their land stewardship, outreach, community interactions, and education in urban areas of Georgia. The recipient of GACD’s very first Urban Conservationist of the Year award is Dr. Jacqueline Echols. 

Dr. Echols has been at the forefront of environmental change in the Atlanta area, serving as the President of the South River Alliance Watershed where she leads efforts to restore the health and integrity of the South River.  She also leads advocacy and community engagement efforts to raise awareness of water pollution issues affecting Atlanta and Dekalb County, and was successful in having the DeKalb County sewer overflows to be corrected by the county. Echols’ more than two decades of work to improve water quality in Atlanta’s waterways and protect the city’s tree canopy earned her the 2017 Environmental Hero Award, the 2016 Community Hero Vanguard Award by Dekalb County, and the 2014 Park Pride Award by the City of Atlanta. She was nominated for this award by the Dekalb County Conservation District. Congratulations to GACD’s 2023 Urban Conservationist of the Year, Jacqueline Echols!

Pictured: Jake Ford and Dr. Jacqueline Echols.

Every year, GACD recognizes farmers and landowners that are conducting exemplary conservation work on their land and have demonstrated a strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their land stewardship, outreach and community interactions, and/or education. The recipient of GACD’s 2023 Conservationist of the Year award is Brian Ponder. Brian is a fourth generation farmer from Tift County where he farms 3000 acres of peanuts, cotton, corn, watermelons, pecans, and pine timber. His farm embodies a "commitment to conservation". Soil health, conserving water, and reducing diesel emissions are a few of the factors that go into the management of his farm. All of the peanuts and cotton on the farm are strip-tilled into cover crops which reduces soil disturbance and erosion. He utilizes terraces and waterways to reduce erosion. To conserve water, all of the irrigation systems have drop nozzle technology, regulators, are low pressure, and almost all have been converted from diesel pumping systems to electricity. Brian also received the NACD Friend of Conservation award and serves as a local District Supervisor for the Middle South Georgia Conservation District and on the GACD Board. He was nominated for this award by the Middle South Georgia Conservation District. Congratulations to Brian Ponder!

Pictured: Brian Ponder, Mark Masters, and Jake Ford

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.

JERRY HOLCOMB INDUCTED INTO GACD HALL OF FAME

August 8, 2023 - Savannah, GA – The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts held their annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 during their Annual Meeting to honor and award those individuals who have gone above and beyond to further conservation efforts for our state. The highlight of the evening is naming the Hall of Fame Inductee.

Jerry Holcomb has been a District Supervisor representing Liberty County for the Coastal Georgia Conservation District for 14 years. He currently serves as the District Chair. He is a former GACD Board Member serving as our Group 4 Vice President and has been previously awarded GACD Supervisor of the Year for his leadership efforts throughout his region. 

Jerry was born and raised on a diversified dairy, beef, and row crop farm in Peach County Georgia. Following High School, he attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 1965-1967.  In 1968, he was awarded the American Farm degree from the Future Farmers of America organization and the following year graduated from the University of Georgia College of Agriculture with a B.S. in Agriculture.  He later went on to obtain his master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1980.

Jerry worked for the University of Georgia Extension Service as a County Agent from 1969 to 1999, served as City Arborist for Columbus, GA from 1987 – 1999, and as a consulting arborist from 1995 to present.  During his time as a consulting arborist, he assisted the Georgia Forestry Commission with their Urban & Community Forestry Assistance program in partnership with the Georgia Urban Forest Council through his service as a circuit-rider arborist.  In this capacity he assisted communities develop community forestry programs, revise tree ordinances, conduct hazardous tree assessments, prepared storm mitigation plans, conducted tree inventories, trained municipal tree care workers, and assisted with Tree City USA certifications. 

He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Consulting Arborist, operating a consulting business statewide.

Since being on the Board, Jerry has always been an active member working to promote the District and conservation efforts throughout the area.  He has worked diligently to enhance educational workshop offerings to include estate planning, feral swine control, urban agriculture, erosion and sedimentation control, and forestland management.  He has also been heavily involved in the annual Tree Care Seminar held in Woodbine, GA hosted for tree care professionals, government entities, and the general public to provide an opportunity to expand their knowledge on all aspects of tree care in urban settings.

The GACD Hall of Fame preserves the history of the conservation movement in Georgia by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to soil and water conservation. 

Congratulations to Jerry Holcomb, the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee.

GACD ELECTS NEW 2023 LEADERSHIP

August 7, 2023 - Savannah, GA – The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts is proud to announce our 2023 Executive Committee elected at our Annual Meeting on Monday, August 7, 2023 during our Georgia Business Meeting.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2023 GACD LEADERSHIP TEAM!

President: Jake Ford, Alapaha Conservation District, Berrien County

Vice President: Brian Ponder, Middle South Georgia Conservation District, Tift County

Vice President (re-elected): Ellis Lamme, Gwinnett County Conservation District

Secretary: Jim Waters, Satilla River Conservation District, Pierce County

Treasurer: Tabatha Wooten, Altamaha Conservation District, Jeff Davis County

NACD Representative: Danny Hogan, Central Georgia Conservation District, Laurens County

Immediate Past President: Mark Masters, Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District, Terrell County

Pictured (left to right): Mark Masters - Immediate Past President, Brian Ponder - Vice President, Jake Ford - President, Ellis Lamme - Vice President, Danny Hogan - NACD Representative, Jim Waters - Secretary.

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 HONORS DISTRICT SUPERVISORS FOR SERVICE AND ONLINE TRAINING

August 7, 2023 - Savannah, GA – GACD has been lucky to have a number of individuals willing to make long-term commitments as District Supervisors on the boards of their local Conservation Districts. We appreciate the tireless efforts made by District Supervisors in conserving, protecting, and improving the natural resources in their local areas. GACD recognizes District Supervisors each year for dedication to their local Conservation District and natural resources conservation in the state of Georgia. Supervisors who reach 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 service year milestones receive a pin of service. 

10 YEARS

GROUP 1

• Cory Rayburn, Fulton County

• Russ Walters, Lamar County

• William Grizzle, Limestone Valley

• Wes Fogle, Limestone Valley

• Ryan Johnson, Roosevelt

• Rick Minter, Towaliga

GROUP 2

• Jerry Dowdy, Brier Creek

• Fred Smith, Oconee River

• Ray Rozier , Oconee River

• Hoyt Brown, Piedmont

• Ricky Yarbrough, Piedmont

• Pat Weems, Piedmont

• Evan Hellenga, Stephens County

• Lakie Meeks, Stephens County

GROUP 3

• Mark Masters, Lower Chattahoochee River

• Preston Jimmerson, Middle South Georgia

• Ross Kendrick, Middle South Georgia

• Lindsay “Doc” Holliday, Ocmulgee River

• Sam Morton, Ocmulgee River

GROUP 4

• Joseph Burns, Ogeechee River

• Jackie Davis, Ogeechee River

• Ross Ferrell, Satilla River

• Jim Waters, Satilla River

• Kristy Arnold, Satilla River
  
  

Pictured (Left to Right): Mark Masters - Lower Chattahoochee River SWCD, Wes Fogle - Limestone Valley SWCD, Fred Smith - Oconee River SWCD, Jerry Dowdy - Brier Creek SWCD, and Ray Rozier - Oconee River SWCD.

20 YEARS

GROUP 1

• Jim Lanier, Cobb County

• Harvey Milner, Pine Mountain

GROUP 3 

• David Holton, Flint River

GROUP 4

• Bill Darsey, Alapaha

• Garry Spires, Altamaha

• David Green, Central Georgia

• Danny Hogan, Central Georgia

Pictured (left to right): Jim Lanier - Cobb County SWCD, Harvey Milner - Pine Mountain SWCD, and Danny Hogan - Central Ga SWCD

30 YEARS

GROUP 1

• Carl Brack, West Georgia

GROUP 2

• Dennis Brown, Broad River

• Rick Crawford, Columbia County

• Jane Hemmer, Hall County

• Roger Sheppard, Stephens County

GROUP 3

• Ralph Balkcom Jr, Lower Chattahoochee River

• Thomas Coleman Jr, Middle South Georgia

GROUP 4

• Cecil Stafford Jr, Coastal

Pictured (left to right): Cecil Stafford, Jr - Coastal Ga SWCD, Dennis Brown - Broad River SWCD, and Jane Hemmer - Hall County SWCD.

40 YEARS

GROUP 2

• Mike Haynes, Hall County

GROUP 4 

• Edward Zipperer, Coastal

50 YEARS

GROUP 1 

• Frank Jordan, Pine Mountain

GROUP 2

• Phillip Standard, Upper Ocmulgee River

Thank you and Congratulations to all District Supervisors for your service!

GACD’s online training program was created to provide a complete and detailed training on Conservation Districts available 24/7. We created it per the NACD guidelines and recently received a Gold rating for the program upon their review.

The following District Supervisors completed our online training program: 

Jacob Bailey - Rockdale County Conservation District

Jimmy Bramblett - Lower Chattahoochee Conservation District

Glenn Cook - Satilla River Conservation District

John Hogue - Central Georgia Conservation District

Lakie Meeks - Stephens County Conservation District

Lucretia Norman - Satilla River Conservation District

Judith Northcutt - Lower Chattahoochee Conservation District

Deetra Poindexter - Clayton County Conservation District

Wayne Swanson - Blue Ridge Conservation District

Dana Tripp - GACD

Wayne WIlliford - Brier Creek Conservation District

Pictured (left to right): Jimmy Bramblett - Lower Chattahoochee SWCD, Deetra Poindexter - Clayton County SWCD, Jacob Bailey - Rockdale County SWCD, Wayne Swanson - Blue Ridge Mountain SWCD, Lucretia Norman - Satilla River SWCD, Glen Cook - Satilla River SWCD, and Judy Northcutt - Lower Chattahoochee River SWCD.

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.

Dan Bennett of Walton County Inducted into Southeast Conservation Hall of Fame

August 7, 2023, Savannah, Ga— Dan Bennett of Walton County was inducted into the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Southeast Region Hall of Fame at their Southeast Hall of Fame Luncheon in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Annual Meeting held in Savannah, Ga on August 7.

The Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame annually recognizes and honors individuals from the Southeast Region of the United States who have had a significant impact or influence on natural resources conservation practice or partnerships at the local, state, territory, regional or national levels.

Dan Bennett has been a District Supervisor for the Walton County Conservation District since 1996. He has served as the District Chair since 2010.

Dan was born in Selina, Kansas. Soon after his birth, Dan’s family moved to Sherman, New York, where he was raised. He began his Agricultural Education career at a two-year Agricultural College in New York. He transferred to the University of Georgia in 1977. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education and a master’s degree in Agricultural Mechanics. Dan began his career in 1980 by teaching Agriculture. He then took a position at Walton Electric Membership Corporation(EMC) and has worked there for 35 years. He began as a member service representative and then became a commercial representative. During this time, he was awarded the very first US award for customer service from Walmart. Dan then became the Director of Corporate Affairs for Walton EMC.

Dan has been a dedicated District Supervisor and a true leader in Walton County. He has been devoted to promoting stewardship, agriculture, and conservation in the community. Under Dan’s leadership, the Walton County Conservation District has been awarded District of the Year by GACD. He has been instrumental in the success of GACD and has served in several leadership roles including President, Secretary/ Treasurer and most recently as Emeritus. He has been previously awarded GACD District Supervisor of the Year and is a member of GACD’s Hall of Fame. 

Pictured: Steven Meeks - NACD Southeast Region Chair and Dan Bennett.

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.

Monroe County Student Awarded with $6,500 Scholarship at 2023 Natural Resources Conservation Workshop

Tifton, GA, June 16, 2023: Every year, Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Georgia sponsor high school students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, GA. The 5-day Workshop allows students to take part in lectures and hands-on activities to boost their knowledge of Georgia’s vital natural resources. It also provides them with a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers in agriculture and natural resources through their advisors and instructors. Over $25,000 was awarded in scholarships at this year’s event. 

The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout Georgia partnered to provide a $6,500 scholarship to the overall highest scoring individual at camp. These scholarships can be used at any accredited college in the state of Georgia. 

The recipient of the 2023 Georgia Conservation District Scholarship was Ethan Bertram of Monroe County. He is a rising senior at Mary Persons High School. 

The mission of Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (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 the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop, please visit us online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook @GACDConserve. 

Pictured: (First Row L-R) Leanne Hopper - GACD Southwest Regional Program Manager, Mark Masters - GACD President, Ethan Bertram - 2023 Scholarship Recipient, Tom Mims - GACD Feral Swine Committee Chair, Katelyn Poppell - GACD Southeast Regional Program Manager (Back Row L-R) Ellis Lamme - GACD Vice President, Danny Hogan - GACD’s NACD Representative, Jake Ford - GACD Secretary, Dan Bennett - GACD Board Member Emeritus

Virgil Simmons of Early County Named GACD Scholarship Recipient

March 23, 2023:  The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) is pleased to announce their 2023 Scholarship recipient is Virgil Simmons of Blakely, GA. Virgil is currently a senior at Pataula Charter Academy and is enrolled in college courses through dual enrollment at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). He will graduate high school in May and plans to continue his studies at ABAC in Environmental 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. 

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.

2023 Natural Resources Conservation Workshop Now Accepting Students

The Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) is 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 gives students a taste of college life while delivering valuable insight into careers through their counselors and instructors. 

The 2023 NRCW will take place June 11- 16, 2023 on the campus of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. The Workshop features field trips, classroom instruction, and recreational activities. 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.

Sponsorships are available through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts for students to attend at no cost. Transportation options are also available. Registration is available through May 1 at www.abac.edu/nrcw .

Partnering agencies for NRCW are Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Society, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.