Crop Damage Assessment
Drone flights can be easy, quick, and informative. Drones can be utilized for a wide variety of uses, including crop damage detection, damage to equipment, assessing crop health, and much more! Justine Smith, a wildlife ecology graduate student from the University of Georgia, is working on a study with the Jones Center at Ichauway to observe changes in wild pig damage to crops as reduction methods are implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Judas Technique
The current feral swine population in the United States may exceed six million individuals across at least 35 states. The annual damage and control costs are more than $1.5 billion, and $150 million for Georgia alone in 2014.
Feral Swine Diseases
Feral swine are best known for their destruction to agriculture, such as row crops, forestry, livestock, and pastures. However, they also cause great risks to health and safety by harboring and transmitting diseases. They are known to carry or transmit at least 30 diseases (viral and bacterial) as well as host a minimum of 37 parasites that can affect humans, pets, wildlife, and livestock.
Farm Monitor and Ranger Nick Feature Feral Swine Research
This month, Farm Monitor’s Ranger Nick segment highlights the damage and issues surrounding invasive feral swine, some control best practices, and ongoing research funded through the Feral Swine Control and Eradication Pilot Project.
Meet our Team: Aubree Plymale
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is excited to announce our newest team member! Aubree Plymale is joining the District for the summer of 2022 as the Feral Swine Summer Coordinator. As Summer Coordinator, Aubree will work directly on the District’s feral swine initiative and the Feral Swine Control and Eradication Pilot Project.
FRSWCD Announces Summer Coordinator Positions
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District has annouced two Summer Coordinator positions to support Feral Swine Control and Smart Irrigation initiatives.
2022 Stewardship Week Poster Contest
The Flint River Soil & Water Conservation District is pleased to announce the 2022 Stewardship Week theme: “Healthy Soil, Healthy Life”. Stewardship Week, which will be celebrated April 24 – May 1, 2022 is celebrated each year to promote natural resource conservation across various topics including soil, water, and habitat.
Cover Crop Initiative Available in all Counties in the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced several new and expanded opportunities for conservation programs that lend to climate-smart agriculture production in fiscal year 2022. Among these is the Cover Crop Initiative (CCI) that incentivizes the use of cover crops on Georgia’s agricultural land.
USDA to begin National Agricultural Classification Survey in preparation for upcoming 2022 Census of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mails the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) this month to more than a million potential U.S. agricultural producers, in preparation for the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The NACS will ask survey recipients if they are involved in agricultural activity and for basic farm information. Response to the NACS is required by law for all who receive the questionnaire, even if the recipient is not an active farmer or rancher. Questionnaires can be completed online or by mail. The response deadline is Jan. 24.
FLINT RIVER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNOUNCES AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT FOR 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District announces that it will award $2,000 in grant funds through the Agricultural & Environmental Education Grant for K-12 programming within the District’s nine counties. The grant opportunity promotes conservation education and provides additional resources for both formal and non-formal educators looking to engage their students in agriculture and/or natural resources education.
Flint River SWCD Partners with Mitchell County Cattleman's Association to Offer Low Cost No-till Drill
This November, The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) and the Mitchell County Cattleman’s Association (MCCA) finalized an agreement to lease the FRSWCD’s no-till drill for use by local farmers and landowners.
Feral Swine Workshop Highlights Effective Control Techniques
On December 3, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a Feral Swine Control Workshop in partnership with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Jones Center at Ichauway, UGA Warnell College of Forestry and Natural Resources, and University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service at the Grady County Agric-Center in Cairo, Georgia.
FSCP Albany Area Project Meeting Engages Landowners, Researchers
On December 2, project team members from the Albany Area Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program gathered with participating landowners and stakeholders to share progress on control, monitoring, and research activities in the project area.
FSCP Pilot Project Areas Meet to Share Ideas, Successes
On December 1, project team members from the Albany Area and Georgia/ Florida Area of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program met at the Jones Center at Ichauway to share methodologies, lessons learned, and successes from their respective projects.
Reimbursement Stipend for Eligible Farmers to Attend the 2022 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association is offering a grant-funded opportunity to attend the 2022 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, January 6-9 at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah, GA. This opportunity is being made available through a small USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant allowing GFVGA to award reimbursement stipends* for Georgia’s small, beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and/or veteran farmers.
Scholarships available for Students in Agriculture and Natural Resources Disciplines
Students with a declared major— or intending to declare a major— in agriculture or natural resources areas of study may be eligible for current scholarship programs.
FRSWCD to Host Feral Swine Workshop Dec. 3
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with UGA Cooperative Extension, UGA Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will offer a FREE informational workshop on feral swine at the Grady County Ag Center . Topics include feral swine behavior, biology, and removal best practices. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.
Flint River Fresh Launches 2022 Capital Campaign
Following the June 3 Board meeting in Albany, Flint River Fresh officially launched their 2022 Capital Campaign, an annual organizational effort to engage local businesses in supporting the ongoing work of Flint River Fresh.
High School Students Awarded Scholarship at Natural Resources Conservation Workshop
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District (FRSWCD) is proud to recognize Educational Scholarship recipients at the 60th Natural Resources Conservation Workshop, which took place June 27-July 2 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia.
Atlanta Braves and Bally Sports South Recognize Fredando Jackson and Flint River Fresh during 2021 Community Heroes Week
During the Flint River Fresh board meeting on June 2, the Atlanta Braves Foundation announced Executive Director Fredando Jackson and Flint River Fresh as a recipient the 2021 Community Heroes Award. The Flint River Fresh Board of Directors was thrilled to invite Atlanta Braves, players, Bally Sports south broadcasters, Braves Foundation representatives and Jackson’s friends and family to virtually join the board meeting for the special presentation.