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SATILLA RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Satilla River Conservation District was organized by a charter which was issued by the Secretary of the State on May 2, 1942 under a provision of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District law of 1937.  The District comprises an area of 2,907,520 acres, making it the largest district east of the Mississippi River. The Satilla River Conservation District includes the counties of Wayne, Glynn, Brantley, Camden, Pierce, Ware, Charlton, and Atkinson.

The District has two Supervisors from each county- one who is appointed by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission and one who is elected by registered voters of the county in a special election.  All District Supervisors voluntarily give of their time to promote and encourage soil and water conservation. The District was organized to give local leadership in helping the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the U S Department of Agriculture to establish cooperating landowners and land users with soil and water conservation problems.  

The Satilla River Conservation District provides leadership in making the most effective use of conservation funds and technical assistance available to their constituents. 

Upcoming District Events

Small Farm Conference

Nahunta, GA – Local farmers, landowners, and agricultural enthusiasts are invited to attend the Small Farm Conference on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Jacobs Plantation, located at 2686 Caney Bay Road, Nahunta, GA 31553.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m. Attendees will enjoy a light breakfast and lunch provided as part of the day’s events.

This hands-on conference is designed to equip small farm operators and land managers with practical knowledge, innovative tools, and valuable resources to enhance their operations. The event will feature live grain drill demonstrations, forestry demonstrations, and drone demonstrations, offering participants an up-close look at modern agricultural practices and technology in action.

In addition to the demonstrations, attendees will have the opportunity to visit vendor booths showcasing products and services tailored to small farm needs. Door prizes will also be given away throughout the day.

The Small Farm Conference aims to bring together members of the agricultural community for education, networking, and fellowship in a welcoming outdoor setting.

For more information about the conference, please contact Katelyn Poppell at Katelyn.poppell@gacd.us.

DISTRICT Supervisors

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Jim Waters, Chair
Jim Waters, Chair

Pierce County

Jim Waters is a local farmer from Blackshear, Georgia. He is the elected Pierce County Supervisor for Satilla River Conservation District. He also serves as the Chairman. He is a full- time farmer planting crops that consist of cotton and peanuts. His hope for the district is to continue to educate the community on conservation efforts and to educate farmers on good conservation practices to protect our croplands.

Jeff Brannen
Jeff Brannen

Camden County

Supervisor Jeff Brannen of Satilla River Conservation District is a 73-years-young, retired fireman and paramedic. He owns and runs a small cow/calf operation in Woodbine, Georgia, where he resides.

Jonny Harris
Jonny Harris

Wayne County

Jonny Harris is a fifth generation cattleman/farmer from Wayne County. Jonny owns /operates Greenview Farms, Inc., a diverse operation producing Hereford and F1 Braford cattle. Along with the cattle operation, Jonny also manages timer, annual forages, hay, haylage and row crops including cotton, corn and peanuts.

Jonny is a graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agriculture. In addition to serving as a Wayne County Supervisor for the Satilla River Conservation District, Jonny serves as a Director for both the Wayne County Farm Bureau and the Cotton Partners, LLC. He has previously served as a Director for the American Hereford Association, the United Braford Breeders and the Wayne County Young Farmers. Jonny has also served as Regional Vice President and Executive Committee member for the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, along with President of both the Wayne County and Southeast Georgia Cattlemen’s Associations.

Ross Farrell
Ross Farrell

Charlton County

Ross Ferrell is the owner of Ferrell Timber & Site Prep, Inc. and Ferrell Forestry Services, Inc. He received his business degree from Georgia Southern University.  He and his family reside in Charlton County.

Kristy Arnold
Kristy Arnold

Wayne County

Having graduated from both ABAC and UGA with degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Education, she owns and operates a beef cattle farm in Screven, GA. Her farm specializes in growing Embryo Transfer calves for purebred Angus producers all over the Southeastern US. She is currently the President of Georgia Cattlemen’s Association. Kristy is married to her husband of 16 years, Robert, and she is the mother to Kayle, 13, and Karson, 10.

Ronald Sadowski
Ronald Sadowski

Glynn County

Ronald is a lifelong resident of Glynn County. He has served fifteen years as a Geographic Information specialist for local and regional governments. Ronald has also served as a technical advisor, Board member, and Chairman for the Georgia Coast Rail-Trail. He is currently working as Security at Georgia Port Authority.

Michael Raulerson
Michael Raulerson

Pierce County

Michael was born and raised in Bacon County on a cattle and row crop farm where he showed registered Polled Herefords at the local, state, and national level. Received an AS from Valdosta State College. Was hired in 1991 as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. Retired in 2015 from the FAA and returned to Blackshear and purchased his grandfathers farm. His family currently raises Boar goats, commercial cattle, and farms 180 acres of hay.

Conservation practices are currently being utilized on the farm and he also assist others in the community with their projects.

Heath Holdsworth
Heath Holdsworth

Glynn County

Heath has worked with various environmental organizations, government bodies, and local entities to promote policies that protect natural resources and foster sustainable development.  "I am honored and excited to take on the role of District Supervisor with the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District," said Mr. Holdsworth. "This is a critical moment for our environment, and I am committed to supporting solid strategies that ensure long-term planning and development goals, while also addressing the urgent needs of our communities and the coastline.  Working collaboratively with partners across all sectors, I aim to make sure Glynn County can lead bold and innovative solutions to grow the future and protect our beautiful coastal resources for generations to come."

Heath Holdsworth holds a BA in Banking & Finance from The University of Mississippi and has received numerous education certificates and a M.Ed. in Education that has shaped his environmental advocacy. He has also been an active voice in engineering fundraising campaigns to serve local environmental and community projects, and is known for his ability to build consensus across political and organizational divides.


Camden County Alkina “Al” Daniels of Kingsland, GA was recently elected to represent Camden County on the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District. He will serve the Conservation District for a four-year term.  Al Daniels is a

Camden County

Alkina “Al” Daniels of Kingsland, GA was recently elected to represent Camden County on the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District. He will serve the Conservation District for a four-year term. 


Al Daniels is a business owner, military veteran, philanthropist and someone who is eager to give back to his community. After spending 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Daniels decided to become involved with fundraising and donations to community schools, churches and non-profit groups. He and his wife Mel started a local program called, “Feed a Family a Day”, where a family out of the community is selected and is fed a meal for dinner.  Daniels is passionate about seeking out the community's needs and then works to ensure those needs are met. 


DISTRICT SERVICES

Feral Swine Control

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No-Till Drill

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meeting information

The Satilla River Conservation District meets the third Tuesday of each month at 12 p.m. (noon) at Captain Joe’s Seafood Restaurant in Waycross, Ga. 

 

Contact Satilla river conservation district

GACD | The Voice of Conservation in Georgia

PO Box 1134, Ringgold, GA 30736  | 833-411-4223 | info@gacd.us