Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work [2013]

WARREN COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK FISCAL YEAR 2014
(July 1, 2013 June 30, 2014)
1. Sponsor demonstrations and tours to promote conservation, water quality, and Best Management Practices to farmers, sportsmen, 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.
B. Educate the public about benefits to and responsible construction of wildlife food plots.
2. Sponsor meetings between the county and all municipalities to address current and future water needs regarding public access to drinking water.
3. 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.
4. Sponsor tuition from District funds for qualified students from the District to attend the Youth Natural Resources Conservation Workshop to introduce them to the concepts of soil and water conservation.
5. Continue to encourage local landowners to become Affiliate Members.
6. Conduct the annual Conservationist-of-the-Year program in September to recognize an individual for his contributions to soil and water conservation and to the District. Use this recognition to promote conservation ethics to other farmers and land users.
7. Promote public understanding for the need for soil and water stewardship by purchasing and distributing conservation education materials and programs during Soil Stewardship Week.
8. Maintain membership in and pay membership dues to the National Association of Conservation Districts, the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors, and the Central Savannah River Resource Conservation and Development Council; and to cooperate with these groups to jointly promote soil and water conservation goals.
9. Purchase supplies, pay communication costs, and purchase equipment needed to conduct the District's goal of protecting soil and water resources.
10. Provide educational and informational materials to schools, landowners, and other groups to promote the need for management and protection of soil and water resources. 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.
11. Purchase conservation equipment, as needed, to demonstrate new and innovative methods of installing Best Management Practices to farmers and landowners. Continue to manage and promote the District no-till drill equipment.
12. 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.
13. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs.
14. Manage and direct funding received from grants, donations, and other sources which assist the District in the promotion of soil and water conservation methods.
15. Arrange publicity and expend funds for public outreach to increase the public's awareness of the need for soil and water conservation.
16. Appoint committees, as necessary, to plan and conduct special District promotions of soil and water conservation programs. Encourage landowners to implement prescribed grazing practices to promote improved animal production and pasture quality.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Continue to work with the city and county to ensure that all watershed structures are maintained properly.
20. Partner with the McDuffie County SWCD to host a Grazing Field Day in the fall to educate producers how to effectively manage grazing land while maintaining healthy soils and adjacent water bodies.
21. Host a Local Work Group Meeting to set priorities for USDA Farm Bill programs.