Ohoopee River Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, FY 2014

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

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THE DISTRICT'S IDENTITY:
The Ohoopee River Soil and Water Conservation District is an agency of the State Government established March 26, 1937. It is a legally constituted, administrative agency of the State of Georgia. The Ohoopee River District Board of Supervisors is charged with the responsibility of making conservation programs available for 1,112,000 acres of land in the District.
THE DISTRICT SUPERVISORS ARE:
Jerry Fagler ..............................Emanuel F. Bennett Whitfield................... .Emanuel W. Colon Sammons.....................Montgomery Keith Hamilton........................ Montgomery Ben Newton........................... .Toombs Chris Hopkins...... .................. .Toombs Laverne W. Davis........................Treutlen Jim L. Gillis, Jr...........................Treutlen Lynn Johnson........................... Wheeler Roy E. Gilder............................. Wheeler
MEETINGS:
Meetings are normally held on the last Tuesday of each month, 3:00 p.m. at the Pine Country RC&D Office, Soperton. Demonstrations, tours and special meetings may be held as part of District meetings. Meeting notices will be posted in the District's local newspapers.

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A. MAJOR OBJECTIVES
1. SOIL RESOURCES
a. 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. 1. Sponsor Pigweed Control Workshop.
b. Encourage participation in the Georgia Conservation Tillage Alliance. c. Promote use of district owned conservation tillage equipment. d. Promote land maintenance contracts between landowners and renters
in order to maintain conservation practice. e. Promote the sign up for Agricultural Water Conservation Incentive Program
2. LAND USE
a. Continue to educate land users on benefits of applying and maintaining conservation structures.
b. Encourage the transfer of marginal cropland to pines, pastures or managed wildlife habitat.
c. Promote landowners to secure updated Conservation Farm Plans.
3. FORESTRY
a. Promote the Georgia Forestry Commission's Stewardship Incentive Program and Georgia Green Program to landowners.
b. Promote the use of other programs that will help the landowner plant more trees etc. WHIP, WRP, CSP & CRP.
c. Sponsor one Forestry Field Day to inform landowners of improved practices.
4. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
a. Support Georgia's Bobwhite Quail Incentive program.' b Provide game management recommendations to landowners requesting
assistance. c Help interested parties secure bird boxes (ducks, bluebird and bat). d. Host one Pond Management Workshop to provide landowners with the necessary information on maintaining a healthy aquatic habitat while managing surface water resources for irrigation purposes where applicable.

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5. CONSERVATION EDUCATION
a. Sponsor high school students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation workshop and pay for school bus transportation to the workshop.
b. Promote conservation education programs in schools by purchasing for schools resources conservation books, booklets, curriculum guides and giving instructional talks.
c. Develop and present an educational presentation that will inform students of the various agencies that assist in the advancement of conservation efforts within the State.
6. PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INFORMATION
a. Work closely with other agencies (FSA, Cooperative Extension Service, GFC and DNR) to coordinate conservation program activities in the District.
b. Purchase and distribute material for Soil & Water Stewardship Week to be held April 27 through May 3.
c. Prepare news articles on district programs and activities such as Soil and Water Stewardship Week, tours and demonstrations.
7. GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
a. Work with city, county, state and national governmental officials on conservation problems and opportunities.
b. Sponsor E&S Certification and Re-certification Courses. c. Continue to assist local governments in maintaining existing watershed
structures within the District.
8. LOCAL WORK GROUP
a. Have Supervisors actively involved in the Local Work Group to assist in determining resource concerns within the District.
b. Provide input on practice limits that will facilitate successful implementation of conservation practices within the District.
c. Promote collaboration with other stakeholders within the District to ensure specific resource concerns are addressed to meet the overall goal of conservation.
9. RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOP COUNCIL
a. Support Pine Country RC&D Council with carrying out its Plan of Operation.

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b. Purchase and manage the use of equipment that will demonstrate methods for implementing soil and water conservation practices.
10. FINANCIAL
a. Manage district financial and material resources to meet district goals in an efficient and productive manner and as prescribed by state guidelines.
b. Maintain membership in professional organizations and associations that promulgate and promote goals that are similar to those of the district.
c. Manage and expand funds made available through private, local, state and federal sources in such a way as to promote soil and water conservation and conservation education.
d. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support district activities and programs.
e. Pay for supervisors to attend training meetings, etc as funds come available .