Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District annual plan of work, financial year 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014)

PIEDMONT SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK FISCAL YEAR 2014
(July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014)
1. Conduct the annual Conservationist-of-the-Year program in October to recognize individuals for their contributions to soil and water conservation in each of the District's seven counties. Use this recognition to promote conservation ethics to other farmers and land users.
A. Expend District funds necessary for meeting expenses and seek donations from other private groups to assist with this program.
2. Sponsor demonstrations and tours to promote water quality and Best Management Practices to farmers and other land users.
A. Expend District funds to purchase exhibits, promotional materials, and supplies; and to pay meeting expenses to promote conservation demonstrations and tours.
3. Promote public understanding for the need for soil and water stewardship by purchasing and distributing conservation education materials and programs during Soil Stewardship Week.
4. Maintain membership in and pay membership dues to the National Association of Conservation Districts, the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors, and the Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development Council; and to cooperate with these groups to jointly promote soil and water conservation goals.
5. Sponsor tuition from District funds for a maximum of fourteen students to attend the Youth Natural Resources Conservation Workshop to introduce them to the concepts of soil and water conservation.
6. Sponsor and provide funding, when available, for students to represent the District in the Envirothon program, Soils Judging teams, and other natural resource and environmental competitions.
7. Purchase supplies, pay communication costs, and purchase equipment needed to conduct the District's goal of protecting soil and water resources.

8. Provide educational and informational materials to schools, landowners, and other groups to promote the need for management and protection of soil and water resources. Promote Farm Bill programs to landowners.
9. Purchase conservation equipment, as needed, to demonstrate new and innovative methods of installing Best Management Practices to farmers and landowners.
A. Sponsor and support the use of the no-till grain drill throughout the district in conjunction with the Oconee River RC&D and the University of Georgia.
10. Provide for oversight of District funds by the annual review of expenditures and income, and provide a detailed financial report to the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission at the end of each fiscal year.
11. Provide supervisors with financial resources to improve their knowledge of conservation issues, and assist supervisors with financial resources to individually promote the programs of the District. Provide per diem payment of up to $120 and mileage payment for supervisors to attend Supervisor Training and the GACDS Annual Meeting when funds are available.
12. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs.
13. Manage and direct funding received from grants, donations, and other sources which assist the District in the promotion of soil and water conservation methods.
14. Arrange publicity and expend funds for public outreach to increase the public's awareness of the need for soil and water conservation.
15. Appoint committees, as necessary, to plan and conduct special District promotions of soil and water conservation programs.
16. Promote dialogue with elected representatives on the county, state and federal levels, and expend funds for meeting expenses to keep these leaders informed of conservation concerns and programs and of erosion control best management practices.
17. Work with Partners for Fish & Wildlife cooperators to ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner.
18. Continue to support the lagoon pumpout program by maintaining the pumpout schedule and documenting nutrient management plans. Educate landowners on new comprehensive nutrient management plan requirements.
19. Continue to support the pumpout program, help foster or develop spreader for lime and erosion and sediment control certification courses in conjunction with

the Oconee River RC&D, the SSWCC, and the Master Equine Management Course.
20. Continue to sponsor the Natural Resources Conservation Award that is presented each year to a member of the Putnam County FFA Club.
21. Review erosion and sediment control plans through a cooperative agreement with the NRCS and SSWCC. Promote BMP use on construction sites.
22. Sponsor the Soil & Water Stewardship Award that will be awarded to a member of the Baldwin-Putnam-Jones Chapter of the Georgia Cattleman's Association.
23. Continue to maintain and update district boundary signs as needed.
24. Continue to provide the Piedmont scholarship of $1,000.00 to a student from one of the seven counties with the highest test score from attending the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.
25. Conduct an Erosion and Sediment Control Workshop to educate Local Issuing Authorities on changes to the Erosion and Sediment Control Act and provide a site demonstration on proper BMP installation.
26. The district will actively monitor, inspect, and maintain the watershed structures located within the district.
27. Cooperate with the Broad River SWCD in promoting the water quality 319 grant in Greene and Taliaferro Counties.
28. Host a Forestry Workshop to educate landowners on how to manage forestland while also enhancing wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem.
29. Host a Local Work Group Meeting to set priorities for USDA Farm Bill programs.