STEPHENS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

The Stephens County Conservation District was formed on April 8, 1982 and supervises conservation efforts for Stephens County. The district is located in Area 2 of Georgia’s conservation districts and has 13 flood control dams. The county is represented by supervisors who are either elected to serve 4-year terms or appointed to serve 2-year terms. Their responsibilities include: budgeting both state and district allotment funds, addressing public concerns, approving or denying erosion and sediment control plans, promoting conservation practices, and more.

The district supports local governments in their efforts to promote soil and water conservation, recycling, and education. They also provide scholarships to high school students each year and sponsorships for students attending the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop held annually at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Tifton, GA) and students who compete in the Envirothon. Presently, they own and operate the Willard Kimsey Environmental Education Center, located in Eastanollee, which helps bring funds into the district as they provide space rental to local residents at a reasonable cost.

NEWS

Stephens County Conservation District Offering Feral Swine Control Services

May 20, 2025: 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.

The Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that directs natural resource management programs throughout the county. The Conservation District works with producers, landowners, and with other units of government to educate and actively promote programs and practices that support the conservation, and use and development of soil, water, and related resources.

In order to offer relief to producers and landowners struggling with invasive feral swine, the Conservation District has acquired a trapping system to provide control services throughout the Stephens County Conservation District which includes Stephens County. If you are interested in feral swine control services, please contact the District’s Hog Control Custodian, Andy Hicks, at a.hicks353@gmail.com or 706-244-8221.

More information can be found at www.gacd.us/stephenscounty.

Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District Awards Winner of Photo Contest

August 17, 2026, Eastanollee, GA: Education is a critical element of the conservation effort at the local, state and national levels. Educating young people about the benefits of conservation helps to ensure the next generation will be wise stewards of America’s natural resources.

Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offered the Georgia Association of Conservation District’s (GACD) photo contest to adults in Stephens County. The photo contest entries were focused on conservation practices in action.

Mr. Bill Berry, a resident of Eastanollee, took all three positions in the contest earning $225.00 in prizes. Bill’s 1st place entry will be submitted to the GACD State Photo Contest. The awards were presented at the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting by GACD’s NE Regional Program Manager, Dana Tripp, and the Chairman of the Stephens County SWCD Board, Roger Sheppard. GACD and local Conservation Districts encourage Georgia’s citizens to practice conservation efforts that benefit Georgia communities.

The Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District is a unit of state government that manages and directs natural resource management programs in Stephens County. The District works with farmers, landowners, homeowners, and with other units of government 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/stephenscounty.

Pictured: Bill Berry, Chairman, Roger Sheppard, and Dana Tripp.

Events

District Supervisors

Featured

Roger Sheppard, Chairman

Roger is a graduate of Piedmont College where he holds a BA-BS Degree and currently lives in Toccoa, GA. He owned a hardware store for 23 years where farmers, contractors, developers, and the general public frequented his business daily. He often consulted homeowners concerning yard issues and sold seeds of all kinds. He served on many Boards over the years and was voted ‘Mover and Shaker of the Year (1999, 2000 and 2001)’ by the Toccoa Record Newspaper. Currently, he is president of the Paul Anderson Park board and has been a Boy Scout leader for twenty-three consecutive years. He is very knowledgeable of environmental regulations due to having constant contact with the Environmental Protection Division dealing with underground storage tanks owned by his employer, Jones Petroleum. Roger has served as a district supervisor for at least twenty five years.

Russell Biggers, Supervisor

Russell has served on the district board for over three years. His conservation work began with NRCS where he gained thirty-three years of overall experience and twenty-five of those years were spent servicing White County, GA. He decided to join the district because he supports the partnership between them and NRCS in providing technical assistance for conservation practices. He also understands that conservation practices increase crop yields, reduces soil erosion, and enhances overall farming operations whether commercial or small-scale. Aside from serving on on the board, he is a leader of boy scout troop 217 located in Toccoa, GA and attends First Baptist Church.

Evan Hellenga, Supervisor

Evan graduated from Young Harris College with an A. A. degree and received a B.S. from the University of Georgia. After studying the work that local conservation districts perform and having a keen interest in conservation he decided to run for a position on the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District in 2006 and began serving in January 2007. The dedication and commitment of the men and women serving the District at that time impressed him to serve. Dr. Henry Fields, Supervisor Jeanette Jamieson, Chairman Roger Sheppard and District Employee Alan Smith provided the most effective knowledge and leadership for his success as a supervisor. Since his start as a supervisor, Hellenga served on the Steering Committee for the Upper Broad River 319 project. He is the Quality Assurance Supervisor for ITECH SOUTH located in Westminster, South Carolina and has thirty-two years of quality management experience in the chemicals and pigment industry. Other past experiences include: being appointed to the Toccoa Planning Commission in 2012, being elected as Mayor of the City of Toccoa in 2016, serving on the Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter board, serving on the Toccoa Stephens County Airport Authority and on the Stephens County Development Authority. Being a lifelong resident of Toccoa has cultivated his active membership and leadership as an elder of the Toccoa Presbyterian Church. He and his wife Artie have two grown children and five grandchildren.

Lakie Meeks, Supervisor

Lakie’s conservation experience began when she served on the junior soil conservation board and she has gained farming experience on her family’s cattle farm. She holds a BS degree in Business Administration and has gained work experience in both the medical and manufacturing fields serving in various capacities. One aspect of the Stephens County Soil and Water Conservation District is to educate the public on issues and assist with opportunities related to natural resources. Thus, her belief is that it is important to be good stewards and sustain our natural resources for future generations. Her dedication to agriculture and sustainability serves an influence to her sons as one of them has become interested in an agricultural career and the other in veterinary medicine. In addition to serving the district, she is involved with church activities and volunteers monthly at a local free clinic which serves the medical needs of the working poor and uninsured in our community. She is a member of the Stephens County Employer Committee and North East Georgia Safety Committee. She is married with two sons and has served as a district supervisor for over seven years.

No-Till Drill

through Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D

More Information

Meeting Information

Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The location is the Willard Kimsey Environmental Education Center (1630 Clary Connector, Eastanollee, GA 30538).

STEPHENS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT

NEWS

Stephens County Conservation District Offering Feral Swine Control Services

Events

District Supervisors

DISTRICT SERVICES

Meeting Information

Contact stephens county conservation district

GACD | The Voice of Conservation in Georgia

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