Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District annual plan of work, FY 2014 7/1/13-6/30/14

Middle South Georgia Soil & Water Conservation District
Annual Plan of Work FY 2014
7/1/13 6/30/14
District Identity:
The Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District was established as an agency of State Government on March 16th, 1939, by the authority and under provision of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Law of 1937. The Board of Supervisors is made up of farmers, landowners, and land-users that are dedicated to the conservation, development, and protection of our natural resources. The District is comprised of Ben Hill, Brooks, Colquitt, Crisp, Irwin, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth Counties. Two supervisors from each county, one elected and one appointed, serve on the eighteen-member Board.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the USDA Service Center in Tifton Georgia. Demonstrations, tours, and special meetings are held with proper notification given as to time and location.
Major Objectives:
This Annual Plan of Work establishes the major objectives for the Middle South Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District for Fiscal Year 2013. The following objectives will be planned, developed, and implemented in partnership with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Natural Resources Conservation Promote the conservation of resources including soil, water, wildlife habitat, and other related resources. Work with government agencies and conservation organizations to assist in planning, developing, and implementing conservation programs. Provide local direction and priorities for technical assistance.
Conservation Education Educate the general public to the importance of conservation. Work with conservation groups in planning, developing, and implementing seminars, programs, contests, etc. that serve to educate to the public the importance of conservation.
Public Relations and Information Work to create public awareness of District conservation programs and objectives and keep the public informed on conservation issues and concerns.
Watershed Inspections and Maintenance Carry out watershed inspections and maintenance in the District. Work to prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, control floods, and assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers in the District. Work towards the development of an Emergency Watershed Program.
Action Items
Natural Resources Conservation

Assume a leadership role in setting priorities, ranking applications, and awarding funds for federal and state financed conservation programs.
Sponsor and conduct demonstrations, tours, and field days to acquaint farmers and land-users with methods for protecting soil and water resources. Seek outside sources of income, if necessary, to hold these events.
Arrange and conduct a conservationit of the year banquet to recognize individuals for their contributions to natural resources conservation.
Assist land-users to apply best management practices, which provide conservation benefits to soil, water, wildlife habitat, etc.
Provide technical assistance to local government to evaluate soil and water resources for proposed public facility sites.
Work closely with the local issuing authorities in implementing their erosion and sediment control ordinance by providing technical assistance and education to contractors and developers.
Review and approve Erosion & Sediment Control Plans within the jurisdiction of local issuing authorities as deemed necessary under the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law of Georgia.
Assist any interested issuing authority in obtaining a Memorandum of Agreement between themselves and the District, and, to review their erosion and sediment control ordinance.
Action Items
Conservation Education
Sponsor at least two students from each county in the District to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop and to seek funds, if necessary, for transportation of students. Tuition will be paid from District funds or from outside sources. Also Invite the Coordinator to a district meeting for an update on the Workshop.
Sponsor an ice cream break for the students attending the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop
Assist school curriculum advisors by providing natural resources conservation books, booklets, curriculum guides, and instructional seminars.
Present specific information on soil and water conservation for presentations to schools, civic clubs, churches, etc.
Purchase and distribute Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials to educate the public of the need to manage and protect soil and water resources.

Manage and expend funds made available through private, local, state, and federal sources in such a way as to promote natural resource conservation and conservation education.
Sponsor erosion and sediment control workshops to educate issuing authorities on their responsibilities under the erosion and sedimentation laws of Georgia. Host at least one workshop for the area.
Sponsor Soil and Water Stewardship Week Poster Contest for the local elementary school students in each county in the District. Award District and county prizes from District funds.
Sponsor a Soil and Water Stewardship Week Scholarship (essay) Contest for local high school students in the District. Award the District winner a one-year full tuition scholarship to ABAC. Cost of the scholarship will be shared between the District and the ABAC Foundation. Award individual county winners from District funds.
Action Items
Public Relations and Information
Pay dues and take an active roll in the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors and the National Association of Conservation Districts. Assist in sponsoring individual Supervisors to attend activities of these organizations. Maintain membership (pay dues if necessary) in other professional organizations that promote goals similar to those of the District.
Work closely with other agencies and organizations (Georgia RC&D Councils, Farm Service Agency, Cooperative Extension Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Department of Natural Resources, and other related groups) to coordinate conservation activities in the District. Encourage each agency or organization to attend District meetings and have the entities keep the District informed on various conservation programs available.
Keep the general public informed of conservation programs available through local, state, and federal agencies. Sponsor and conduct meetings to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.
Develop and distribute an Annual Report on the District's accomplishments at the end of the fiscal year.
Prepare and distribute news articles of District's programs and activities. Contact television stations regarding District events for greater exposure. Promote a newsletter stating the districts' activities.
Invite elected officials (local, state, and federal) to all District functions in order to make them aware of conservation concerns, programs, and accomplishments in the District.
Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs. Support formation of the Mid South Resource & Development Council.
Manage District financial and material resources to meet its goals in an efficient and productive manner, and, as prescribed by state guidelines.