Flint River SWCD Hires New Urban Program Coordinator
The District's new urban agriculture conservation program takes root in Albany, Georgia with the addition of Fredando Jackson to the team.
Flint District Selected to Lead Innovative Project
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced awards for the 2017 cycle of funding for the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) Program. The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, based in southwest Georgia, will lead one of 33 projects selected nationwide for funding. CIG is a competitive grant program administered by NRCS that advances the development and implementation of conservation-driven technologies and practices.
Flint River Receives District of the Year Award
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) recently held their annual meeting at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Georgia. The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, comprised of 9 counties in southwest Georgia, received the distinguished honor of being named District of the Year. The District of the Year award was established by GACD in 2001 to recognize the conservation district in Georgia which best plans, implements, and reports a conservation program during the year.
FLINT DISTRICT SELECTED TO LEAD $3 MILLION TRI-STATE CONSERVATION PROJECT
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced recently the selection of 88 locally-led conservation projects across the United States through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, comprised of 9 counties in southwest Georgia, was selected to lead a project focused on strengthening climate resiliency for farmers and landowners in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Urban Agriculture Conservation
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was awarded $50,000 to build technical assistance capacity for urban agriculture conservation projects on Sunday, July 17, by the National Association of Conservation Districts. NACD granted a total of $2 million to Flint River SWCD and 41 other districts across 25 states.
Education Grants
One of the highlights of our year has been working with local teachers who were awarded our first Environmental and Agricultural Education Grants. The District received stellar proposals from all over southwest Georgia, and selecting the winners proved to be a major challenge as all the projects were thoughtful, creative, and experiential.
Innovative Irrigation Project on Spring Creek
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District was recently awarded a Regional Water Plan Seed Grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to conduct an innovative project in the Spring Creek Basin.
2016 Wildlife Shows
Each year, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District partners with the Georgia Southern University Center for Wildlife Education to bring wildlife to the classroom in local southwest Georgia schools. This year, the District sponsored shows at Terrell Academy, Pataula Charter Academy, Pelham Elementary School, and Shiver Elementary School.
2016 Soil Stewardship Week Poster Contest
The Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to announce the 2016 Soil Stewardship theme: “We All Need Trees”. Soil Stewardship Week will be officially celebrated April 24 to May 1, 2016, and is a fun and educational learning experience for all students! Soil Stewardship Week helps remind each and every citizen of the power of each person to conserve natural resources and improve our world. This year marks the 61 st Anniversary of NACD Soil and Water Stewardship Week!
New Outreach Materials
Over the last few months, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District has been developing outreach materials for agricultural water conservation tools related to irrigation.
FRSWCD SPONSORS EDUCATION GRANTS
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), a local agency dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of natural resources, has announced that it will award up to $2,000 available in grant funds through an Environmental & Agricultural Grant for K-12 schools located within the District’s nine counties. The purpose of the grant is to promote conservation education in local schools and provide additional resources for an educator to teach students about agriculture and/or natural resources in a creative way.
NEW ERA OF CONSERVATION BEGINS FOR GEORGIA’S FARMERS AND RANCHERS
State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia and Chairman Marty L. McLendon of the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District announced today an October 16, 2015 application deadline for farmers and ranchers who are in either of the District’s two Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project areas.
Soil Health Workshops
Managing for soil health is one of the most effective ways for farmers to increase crop productivity and profitability while improving the environment. Positive results are often realized within the first year, and last well into the future. On August 25 and 26, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District hosted workshops in Dawson and Americus, Georgia to emphasize the critical nature of soil health for both agriculture and the environment.
Conservation through Innovation
On July 8, 2015 the University of Georgia Stripling Irrigation Research Park and Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a joint Field Day and Regional Technology Conference. Nearly 150 people attended the event in Camilla. Speakers included researchers, scientists, graduate students, and state leaders. The purpose of the event was to highlight the innovative research conducted at the UGA Stripling Park as well as new and emerging conservation-driven technology practices. Covering a diverse spectrum of topics, attendees learned about new irrigation tools, the latest UGA Research trials, and conservation programs from the day’s presenters, which included UGA faculty and graduate students as well as government and industry representatives.
RCPP Signing Ceremony
On May 7, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA-NRCS hosted a signing ceremony for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in Columbus, Georgia. USDA-NRCS and District leaders gathered to mark the beginning of the Flint District’s national RCPP initiative for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, which spans Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
2015 Natural Resources Conservation Workshop
Over $18,000 in college scholarships, back-to-nature field trips, and a true taste of college life will be on the line for students who attend this year’s Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) on June 7-11 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The NRCW targets students with a desire to learn more about Georgia’s natural resources and the opportunities and responsibilities these resources provide. Experts from universities and local, state, and federal natural resource agencies will provide students with lectures and hands-on activities to enhance their understanding of Georgia’s vital natural resources.
WILDLIFE SHOWS
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District partnered with the Georgia Southern Center for Wildlife Education again this year to bring conservation (and critters) to the classroom. Students throughout the Flint River District counties had the exciting opportunity to connect with nature and experience wildlife through this educational program. Steve Hein and Scott Courdin from Georgia Southern introduced the students to birds of prey, reptiles, and insects many children (and adults!) do not have the opportunity to see in the wild.
FLINT RIVER DISTRICT SUPERVISOR INDUCTED INTO GACD HALL OF FAME
Mr. Steve Singletary of Early County, a Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, received the distinguished honor of being inducted into the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Hall of Fame during the recent annual meeting.