Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, fy 2014

OGEECHEE RIVER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK
FY 2014

2

THE DISTRICT'S IDENTITY:
The Ogeechee River Soil and Water Conservation District is an agency of the State Government organized by a charter which was issued by the Secretary of the State on July 12, 1940 under a provision of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District law of 1937. The District is a legally, constituted, administrative agency of the State of Georgia.

THE DISTRICT SUPERVISORS ARE:
Charles Finch Fred G. Blitch, Jr. Jerry Lanier Randy Durden Joe Burns Jackie Davis Gary Bell Cornelius Garrison Lamar E. Zipperer A. W. Robinson, III Adair Branch Lavanda Lynn

Bulloch Bulloch Candler Candler Effingham Effingham Evans Evans Screven Screven Tattnall Tattnall

MEETINGS:
Meetings are normally held on the first Thursday of each month, 6:30 p.m. at the Bulloch County Center for Agriculture. The meeting place may rotate at the discretion of the supervisors or in conjunction with demonstrations, tours and special meetings. Public notice will be given in accordance with applicable laws.

3
OGEECHEE RIVER SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
2014 Plan of Operation

I. Special Meetings: 1. Conservationist of the Year meeting will be held in February. 2. GACDS Group V Meeting will be held in June.

II. Appoint standing committees by May Board Meeting.

III. Education and Recreation Objective: To teach young people, teachers, professional people, and adults the values of soil and water conservation. Explain to the community how more conservation can be applied to the land.

Actions: 1. Sponsor and conduct meetings and seminars to inform groups and
individuals of particular conservation needs. 2. Purchase or develop, and then distribute, educational and informational
materials to inform the public of the need to manage and protect soil and water resources. 3. Sponsor students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop introduce them at an early age to the concepts of soil and water conservation. Tuition will be paid from district funds or outside sources.

Committee Responsible: A.W. Robinson, Chairman Jerry Lanier

Advisor: Jason Gatch

IV. Finance Objective: To examine District's financial situation each year and determine the most productive areas in which to spend funds.

Actions: 1. Developed an annual budget showing the prior years income and current
years anticipated income and budget expenses. 2. Pay all State and National dues. 3. In the event there is a need and resources are available, District supervisors
will contact county commissioners and encourage them to provide funds for additional NRCS personnel. 4. Keep financial records for no-till drill activities. Make inventory of district equipment and let committee make appropriate recommendations to the Board. 5. District will provide funds for maintaining office and equipment. 6. Board voted for the district to pay per diem and reimburse mileage for the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer or up to three supervisors to attend the GACDS Annual Meetings, Supervisor Trainings, and other meetings when designated. 7. Pay for District meeting expenses. 8. Manage and expend funds made available through private, local, state and federal sources in such a way as to promote soil and water conservation and conservation education.

4
9. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support district activities and programs.

Committee Responsible: Charles Finch, Chairman Lavanda Lynn

Advisor: Rahn Milligan

V. Forestry Objective: Encourage better forestry practices on District Cooperators farms, and other land throughout the District.

Action: 1. Encourage all supervisors to participate and/or serve with forestry advisory
groups and participate in forestry activities. 2. Partner with the Farm Service Agency, Georgia Forestry Commission, and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service to inform the public of available programs to address marginal and highly erodable cropland in addition to other concerns that may arise.. 3. Encourage NRCS to promote good forestry management. 4. Encourage District Cooperators to attend forestry programs in their areas. 5. Sponsor forestry program as needed to demonstrate good forestry practices. 6. Encourage participation in state and federal forestry based incentive programs, (i.e. EQIP, WHIP, WINGS, etc...) 7. District encourages the maximum funds for forestry research and promotion.

Committee Responsible: Lamar Zipperer, Chairman Gary Bell

Advisor: Jason Gatch

IV. Legislative Objective: Keep local, state and federal elected officials informed of District activities.

Action: 1. Invite a representative from legislative delegation to speak at a convenient District
Meeting. 2. Contact all legislators concerning soil and water conservation legislation. 3. Supervisors will contact State legislators concerning proper water laws in Georgia
and encourage them to support legislation that will give agriculture representation on any water Board. 4. Encourage State legislators to amend tax laws so they will be fair to encourage reforestation and timber production. 5. Encourage State Legislators to support state Committee Technical Program. 6. Invite Legislators, Congressional Delegates and Chairman of County Commissions to the District meeting.

Committee Responsible: Fred Blitch, Chairman Gary Bell

Advisor: Austin Blackburn

5

VI. Public Relations Objective: To create public awareness of district programs and objectives.

Actions: 1. Hold "Conservationist of the Year in Soil and Water" Program in February
of 2012. 2. Present a "News Media of the Year" Award. (Award to be presented at
"Conservationist of the Year Program) if applicable. 3. Increase number of District oriented news items in local newspapers and
websites.. 4. Review all existing memoranda of understanding with other agencies and
enlist their assistance in the District program.

Committee Responsible: Adair Branch, Chairman Jackie Davis

Advisor: Stephanie Williams

VIII.

Research Objective: Keep District Supervisors and other assisting district abreast of the latest research in Soil and Water Conservation, which include proper land use and treatment needs.

Actions: 1. Attend no-till meetings and demonstrations which show latest techniques,
equipment and chemicals.

Committee responsible: Gary Bell, Chairman Fred Blitch, Jr. Cornelius Garrison

Advisor: Clay DeLoach

IX. Soil Resources Objective: Promote activities designed to inventory, protect and use wisely all land.
Actions: l. Sponsor and conduct demonstrations, tours, and field days to acquaint farmers
and land-users with methods for protecting soil and water resources and promote greater participation. 2. Purchase and distribute Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials, April 29 through May 6 to inform the public of the need to manage and protect soils and water resources. 3. Work with all segments of government to control erosion on public roads, airports, schools, parks, and other public lands. 4. Identify farmland that has excessive erosion and apply for land treatment. 5. Publish news articles pertaining to land use protection. 6. Invite County Commissioners to attend district meetings when meeting is held

6
in their county. 7. Educate public on need for protection of prime farmland through
news articles, radio programs, etc. 8. Inform public utility companies on the need to preserve and protect prime farm
and timberland. 9. Approve Conservation Farm Plans for Cooperators. 10. Approve Conservation Reserve Plans. 11. Review Erosion and Sediment Control Plans. 12. Assume responsibility of operation of no-till drills, tractors and dirt pan. 13. Encourage NRCS to staff every county with at least one full time employee if
there is a need and resources are available. 14. Keep cooperators informed on wetland procedures. 15. Sponsor Erosion and Sediment Control Certification and Re-Certification
Classes (Level 1A,1B, and II).

Committee Responsible: Lamar Zipperer, Chairman Adair Branch Fred Blitch, Jr.

Advisor: Phil Hall

X. Water Resource Objective: Promote better water quality through Conservation and wise use of all water resources in the district. Action: 1. Make annual inspection of watershed structures within the district and report maintenance needed to sponsor. 2. Keep informed of existing and pending water legislation and make District's recommendations known to area legislators. 3. Educate District Cooperators on water quality techniques by holding programs, demonstrations, etc. 4. Encourage anyone using harmful chemical especially those injecting them through their irrigation system to be extremely cautious. 5. Explain the dry hydrant program to the public. 6. Encourage funding to assist improvement of water quality and quantity by impounding and storing water.

Committee Responsible: Charles Finch, Chairman Cornelius Garrison

Advisor: Austin Blackburn

X. Soil and Water Stewardship Objective: Make the general public aware of the need for, and benefits of soil and water conservation to the entire nation, also make landowners and users aware of their divine responsibilities to the land for the short span of time they occupy that land.

7
Action: 1. Promote Soil Stewardship Week activities throughout the District during April
27 through May 3, 2014. a. Purchase Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials for distribution to
counties by March Board meeting. b. Distribute materials for use by Churches, Schools, Banks, Libraries,
Stores, Civic Groups and others. c. Publicize through all news media. d. Obtain assistance from all agricultural agencies, ministerial groups and
interested groups in the promotion of this special week.

Committee Responsible: Jerry Lanier, Chairman Randy Durden

Advisor: Rahn Milligan

XII. Awards: Objective: Arrange and conduct functions like banquets, luncheons and cookouts to recognize individuals for their contributions to soil and water conservation and promote greater participation.
Actions: 1. Present past Chairman with an appreciation plaque. 2. At the discretion of the board, honor retiring supervisors by conferring upon
them the title "Supervisor Emeritus" at the Annual "Conservationist of the Year" meeting. 3. Review supervisors' attendance records semi-annually.

Committee Responsible: Charles Finch, Chairman Joe Burns

Advisor: Rahn Milligan

XIII. Youth Objective: Involve youth in every county of the District.

Action: 1. Sponsor students to the Natural Resources Conservation workshop to
introduce them at an early age to the concepts of soil and water conservation. Tuition and transportation will be paid from District funds or from outside sources. 2. Enlist Supervisors, Soil and Water Conservation Society members, Vo-Ag teachers, Extension Workers, Forestry personnel, Game and Fish people, and others to help during the workshop week.

Committee Responsible: A. W. Robinson, Chairman Jerry Lanier

Advisor: Stephanie Williams

XIV.

8
Annual Report and Plan of Operations Objective: Inform the public about District accomplishments during the year, and make plans for the coming year's activities.

Actions: 1. Develop annual "Plan of Work' for 2015 by May 2014.

Committee Responsible: Lamar Zipperer, Chairman Charles Finch Fred Bltch

Advisor: Rahn Milligan

XV. Nominating Committee

Actions: 1. Consider all supervisors for the offices of Chairman, Vice-Chairman and
Secretary-Treasurer. 2. Report Nominations at May Board meeting.

Committee Responsible: **Committee selection will be made during the regular monthly meeting held in
April. Advisor: Rahn Milligan