CENTRAL GEORGIA SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. The Conservation Commission, the District and the Pine Country RC&D continued their support of the Mobile Irrigation Lab program. An Irrigation Specialist and an Irrigation Technician are now testing irrigation systems in the district and recommending needed improvements to the systems.
2. The District held its 47th annual "Conservationist of the Year" program at Johnson County Elementary School on March 26, 2009. Over 200 guests, bankers and supervisors were present to honor the award winners.
3. The District reviewed Erosion and Sediment Control plans for local governments. Submitted plans were discussed at the monthly meetings and were approved if complete and if they satisfied all criteria for erosion control.
4. The District, in conjunction with the Pine Country RC&D, promoted the use of its three no-till drills and pasture aerator.
5. The District supported the NACD, GACDS and Pine Country RC&D by attending meetings and paying dues to each.
6. The District continued the strong working relationship it has enjoyed with the State Soil & Water Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Pine Country RC&D.
7. The District provided Soil Stewardship materials, Woody Biomass booklets, and a virtual forest CD to area schools.
8. The District actively supported and promoted the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program. One project was contracted for $10,000.
9. The District continued to promote the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program administered by NRCS.
10. The District continues to administer an endowment fund benefiting the David Dykes, Sr. Conservation Scholarship Program. A Scholarship is given annually to an academically deserving student from the District who is attending college in the state of Georgia and majoring in agriculture or forestry.
11. District supervisors and advisors actively promoted the Bobwhite Quail Initiative being pursued by the Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

12. On April 16, 2009, the district held a tour of the new bio-diesel production facility at the farm of Supervisor Danny Hogan in Dexter.
13. Supervisors continued their efforts to keep their elected officials informed on agricultural issues. Throughout the year, supervisors made contacts with their State Senators and Representatives and with their Congressmen.
14. District supervisors promoted the Environmental Quality Incentives Program in the district and set priorities for awarding funds.
15. The district supported and promoted the Pine Country RC&D's Williamson Swamp Creek 319 project in Washington County. The District has also supported and promoted Pine Country RC&D's Turkey Creek 319 project in Laurens County. These projects have been completed.
16. Articles were published in local newspapers highlighting the District and its role in protecting Georgia's natural resources.
17. District supervisors and local NRCS representatives recruited and sponsored three students in their attendance at the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop at ABAC in Tifton in June 2009.
18. The District supported and promoted the Conservation Commission's new Ag Water Metering program.
19. Supervisors and support personnel from Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, and Laurens Counties promoted the Conservation Commission's Southeast Ag Water Conservation Program. Approved applicants will be given cost-share funds with which to build irrigation reservoirs.
20. The district supported the completed Little Ohoopee/Ohoopee River 319 project which includes Johnson County.
21. Three district supervisors attended the Supervisor Training Workshop sponsored by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission held in Forsyth in August.
22. Ten district supervisors attended the GACDS Group III Meeting in Smarr on August 22, 2008. District Supervisor Danny Hogan presided over the meeting as Group III Vice President.
23. The district implemented a cooperative work agreement for a full time employee to work in the Cochran NRCS office. This agreement was in cooperation with Dodge County, Bleckley County, Twiggs County, and NRCS.
24. The district promoted the National Wild Turkey Federation's Operation Oaks to help expand turkey populations in the Middle Georgia area.

25. Eight district supervisors attended the GACDS Annual Meeting that was held in January at Callaway Gardens.
26. District Supervisor Danny Hogan was named to the Regional Water Planning Council.
27. The district sponsored a Level 1A recertification course that was held in Dublin on April 24, 2009.
28. District Supervisor Dan Dixon serves on the NACD Forest Resources Committee.