Stevens County Soil and Water Conservation District FY 2014 annual plan of work

Stephens county
soil and water
conservation District
FY-2014
Annual Plan
of work
Stephens county soil and water conservation District
1630 Clary connector Eastanollee, GA 30538

2014 Annual Plan Of Work
SOIL RESOURCES:
Objectives:
1. Promote conservation tillage on all cropland. 2. Develop conservation plans with emphasis on erosion control, water quality
and highly erodible cropland. 3. Assist landowners in the application of high quality conservation practices. 4. The district will support NRCS in conservation of all soil resources. 5. Promote animal waste management systems. 6. Develop and promote alternative agriculture practices. 7. Follow most recent criteria in most recent Farm Bill.
WATER RESOURCES
1. Work with county and State Conservation Commission to keep watershed structures maintained.
2. Encourage landowners to be aware of the potential of surface and ground water contamination.
3. 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.
4. Request assistance from NRCS and GSWCC in rehabilitating and upgrading watershed structures.
WILDLIFE RESOURCES
1. Support NRCS in conservation of wildlife resources through their WHIP and WINGS Program.
FORESTRY
1. Invite Georgia Forestry Commission representative to attend at least one board meeting and give update on forestry resources.
RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
1. Support local Governments in their efforts to promote soil and water conservation, recycling and education.

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2. Identify other needs by community as they relate to the location of problems.

3. Continue operation of the Kimsey Environmental Center to demonstrate:

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a. Educational Purposes b. Wetland Preservation c. Use of straw to preserve timber
d. Energy Savings e. Water Quality Monitoring f. Public Relations

4. Support RC&D by having representative attend all RC&D meetings.

5. Support All RC&D programs.

6. Support all efforts to restore and create RC&D funding in our budget.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION

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 will be paid from district funds or from outside sources. Sponsor students to Georgia Envirothon.

2. Assist school system with conservation-related activities and programs.

3. Encourage teachers to emphasize natural resources conservation.

4. Invite Vo-Ag teacher to a meeting during the year to gain support for the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.

5. Continue strong emphasis on the proposed educational benefits of the Environmental Study Area (Kimsey Environmental Center).

6. Continue to support the Local Envirothon Team.

UNITS OF GOVERNMENT 1. Provide a progress re!Jort annually to Stephens County and City of Toccoa on
activities of the district.
2. Assist the City with review of erosion and sediment control plans.

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3. Continue inspection of watershed dams for county as required. 4. Encourage County Board of Commissioners to attend district meetings.
PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM
1. Keep public informed of district activities and monthly meetings.
2. News media will be invited to attend all district meetings.
3. Enter GACDS Awards Program. 4. Promote Soil and Water Stewardship Week. 5. Promote wise use of water resources through public information programs
and news articles.
6. Provide conservation education programs upon request to civic clubs and
organizations.
7. Sponsor and conduct meetings and seminars to inform groups and individuals
of particular conservation needs. 8. Have annual meeting to include meal at the Kimsey Environmental Center to
reco~nize individuals for their contributions to soil and water conservation. Tuit1on will be paid from district funds or from outside sources. 9. Utilize current resource inventories. 10. Attend GACDS New Supervisors training.
11. Review progress on annual plan of work at least once a year.
12. Provide use of the conference/meeting area to organizations for use in promoting conservation education at the Kimsey Environmental Center.
FINANCES 1. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support district activities
and programs 2. Mana~e district financial and material resources to meet district goals in an
effic1ent and productive manner and as prescribed by state guidelines. 3. Budget funds per approved annual budget from State Conservation
Commission. 4. Maintain membership in professional organizations and associations that
promulgate and promote goals that are similar to those of the districts. 5. Pay dues to GACDS; NACD and RC&D.

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6. 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.
7. Seek and procure grants to fund alternative agriculture products and for marketing of products.

MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTIVES

1. Support training of district staff by NRCS.

2. Increase participation of outside organizations in formulating district plans and assisting district operations.

3. Appoint Committees:

Membership:

Soil & Water District Board

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Soil and Water Stewardship: Willard Kimsey

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Annual Banquet:

Lakie Meeks

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Jeanette Jamieson

Government Liaison:

Roger Sheppard

Annual Plan of Work:

Soil & Water District Board

Kimsey Environmental Center: Roger Sheppard- Chairman Soil & Water District Board

District Supervisors:
Roger Sheppard - Chairman Willard Kimsey- Vice-Chairman
Evan Hellenga - Treasurer Jeanette Jamieson Lakie Meeks

Revised April 2013