Today, the Georgia Water Coalition released a video highlighting the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) and the District’s conservation work. The video honors Clean 13 award winners, which were announced by the Coalition in September. The annual Clean 13 Report highlights individuals, businesses, industries, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies whose extraordinary efforts have led to cleaner rivers, stronger communities and a more sustainable future for Georgians. The FRSWCD is honored to be among this year’s winners, recognized for its leadership toward more sustainable agriculture in the heart of Georgia’s breadbasket. FRSWCD is involved in many projects utilizing millions of dollars in private and public funds to improve irrigation efficiency impacting over 13 million acres of cropland.
“The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation is thrilled to be recognized for our work in agricultural irrigation efficiency in southwest Georgia,” said Marty McLendon, Chairman of the District. “Our strong relationships with researchers, innovative trailblazers in the industry, producers and landowners allow the District to implement new technologies on farms throughout the region, improving economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture in Georgia.”
FRSWCD works with stakeholders, partners, and landowners bring practical conservation practices to the farm level, aiming to increase adoption of conservation practices and technologies. Projects include:
AgWet. The FRSWCD has partnered with UGA Extension to provide training, outreach, and resources to install soil moisture sensors in over 40 fields to provide real-time data for irrigation scheduling. On average, this had found to improve irrigation water use efficiency by 15%. In 2019, this project resulted in 4,555 acres in best management practices and saved approximately 83 CFS.
Dynamic VRI. The FRSWCD is currently leading a USDA Conservation Innovation Grant in partnership with UGA and Auburn to install irrigation systems that apply customized rates of water based on individual management zones within a field. This project aims to compare yield and irrigation water use efficiency in conventionally managed systems against Dynamic VRI. Initial research suggests increased irrigation water use efficiency by up to 40% while increasing yields between 5 and 10%.
Irrigator Pro. The FRSWCD worked with Irrigator Pro developers at the National Peanut Research Lab to convert the manual desktop Irrigator Pro website into a dynamic app that uses real-time field data from soil moisture sensors to make irrigation scheduling recommendations for peanuts, corn and cotton. Irrigation scheduling is shown to increase irrigation water use efficiency by 15%. As of November 2019, Irrigator Pro has over 600 downloads. In the 2019 season, this translated to over 32,000 acres using the app for irrigation scheduling. An updated version of the app with features incorporated based on grower feedback was released for the 2020 season. Learn more at irrigatorpro.org.
Smart Irrigation Month. In 2019 the FRSWCD lead partners to launch the state’s first ever Smart Irrigation Month campaign to raise awareness of smart irrigation practices for both rural and urban settings. This state-wide effort reached over 600 people throughout the month. Visit smartirrigationgeorgia.com for more information.
Additional 2019 Clean 13 awardees include:
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Georgia Association of Water Professionals in Marietta
Flint River Working Group in Fulton, Clayton, Fayette, Spalding and Coweta counties
Walton Electric Membership Corporation in Monroe
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
Terrapin Beer Company in Athens
Fulton County Commission
Truck Carlson in Augusta
Georgia ForestWatch in Dahlonega
The Len Foote Hike Inn in Dawsonville
Amerson River Park in Macon-Bibb County
Rep. Debbie Buckner of Talbot County
While the 2019 honorees were not recognized at the Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 Celebration that was originally set for March 12, 2020 at Mason Fine Art Center in Atlanta, honorees are showcased on the Georgia Water Coalition’s social media outlets. Please visit gawater.org/clean-13 to see FRSWCD highlighted and learn more about the Clean 13.
The Georgia Water Coalition is a consortium of more than 260 conservation and environmental organizations, hunting and fishing groups, businesses, and faith-based organizations that have been working to protect Georgia’s water since 2002. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of Georgians.
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is comprised of farmers, landowners, and community leaders that are dedicated to the conservation, wise use, and protection of natural resources in the Flint River Basin. Learn more about the District at flintriverswcd.org.