PIEDMONT SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
FISCAL YEAR 2009 ANNUAL REPORT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. In the Section 319 watershed program, $81,721 was contracted for projects in the Little River watershed. Through FY09, 27 contracts totaling $497,100 had been allocated. The District chairs the Steering Committee that reviews applicants.
2. The district cooperated with the Oconee River RC&D Council in promoting the Crooked Creek/Rooty Creek and the Lower Lake Oconee 319 projects. A closeout meeting/field day for the Crooked Creek/Rooty Creek project was held on October 9th with a tour of implemented projects. The district also cooperated with the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission in promoting the Little River 319 project.
3. The district, through the Conservation Commission, actively supported and promoted the Partners for Fish & Wildlife program.
4. To better promote cost-share assistance available through the Conservation Commission, the district maintained permanent signs at the sites of completed Partners for Wildlife projects.
5. The district, in cooperation with Oconee River RC&D, provided cooperators with equipment for management of animal waste. The Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission's Resource Specialist completed nutrient sampling and completed scheduling for this project. The district, the Oconee River RC&D, and the State Soil & Water Conservation Commission continued a partnership to implement lagoon pumpout procedures to better serve the district's farmers.
6. The district sponsored the Natural Resources Management Award that was presented to a member of the Putnam County FFA Club at its annual meeting.
7. The district sponsored a Soil and Water Conservation Award given to an outstanding member of the Baldwin-Jones-Putnam Chapter of the Cattlemen's Association.
8. The district promoted the Conservation Commission's Mobile Irrigation Lab and its use on district farms.
9. The district maintained district boundary signs.
10. 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.
11. One supervisor attended the GACDS Annual Meeting which was held in January at Callaway Gardens.

12. The district provided Soil Stewardship materials to elementary schools in the district.
13. The district sponsored 5 students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Youth Workshop at ABAC in Tifton in June.
14. The district continued to recognize individual leadership in conservation through the "Conservationist of the Year" program held on October 7th at Rock Eagle. Over 200 people were present to honor the award winners from the district and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the district's creation.
15. The district supported the NACD, GACDS and Oconee River RC&D by paying dues and attending meetings.
16. The district continued the strong working relationship it has enjoyed with the State Soil & Water Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Conservation Commission's Regional Representative assisted the district with its many objectives and kept the board informed about new conservation issues. The designated District Conservationist gave monthly progress reports concerning NRCS activities at District meetings.
17. Supervisors chaired and served on the RC&D Equipment Committee. The committee held regular meetings and formulated policy for use of the district's lagoon pumpout equipment.
18. Two district supervisors attended the Supervisor Training Workshop held in August in Forsyth and sponsored by the Conservation Commission.
19. The district participated in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by adopting priorities and by reviewing and making recommendations on final approval of applications for funds.
20. Two supervisors attended the GACDS Group III Meeting held on August 22nd in Smarr.
21. Two supervisors from the district were appointed to the Regional Water Planning Councils.
22. On June 23, 2009, the district held their business meeting at and toured Kent Walker's Farm in Greene County to hold a lagoon pumpout demonstration.
23. On August 27, 2008, the district held a Clover Planting Meeting in Madison with 60 people in attendance.
24. On May 19, 2009, the district co-sponsored with the Oconee River RC&D a new Farm Bill informational meeting for nontraditional and new producers in the district.