Events sponsored by individual Soil & Water Conservation Districts are found by looking at the District listings on the GSWCC Region pages at http://gaswcc.georgia.gov/soil-water-conservation-districts.
CRP Webinar - May 23
USDA is offering a free webinar on May 23 to explain the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which runs from May 20 to June 14. CRP protects the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States.Go to CRP for more information on the program. Click here to sign up for the webinar.
Dirt & Gravel Road Workshop - May 23
Focused on county officials and local government employees responsible for road maintenance, the workshop will teach new concepts for maintaining unpaved roads with an emphasis on protecting water quality. There is no charge for registration but advanced registration is required. Registration must be completed before May 10. Registration forms are available online or by calling 706-885-0101.
Erosion and Sediment Control Exposition – May 30
The 26th Annual Erosion and Sediment Control Seminar and Exposition will be held on Thursday, May 30, at the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, NE, Atlanta, 30306 beginning at 8 a.m. Sponsored by the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District, the seminar and exposition features new practices, products and programs for controlling soil erosion. Funds from the Expo pay for students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) held in June in Tifton, Ga. Registration cost is $30. For more information or to register, email Jenny Snearl or call 770-761-3020.
Information for Sponsors/Exhibitors
Pollinator Habitat Field Day – May 30
An opportunity to learn more about the importance of pollinator habitats is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Foster-Brady Farm, 4290 Snows Mill Road, Monroe, Ga. 30655. Speakers will include Clay Brady, Jennifer Berry (UGA Bee Lab), Keith Fielder, Bill Owens (Master Bee Keeper) and Maryann Trent (NRCS). RSVP by May 28 by emailing Jose Pagan or calling 770-267-8363, ext. 3.
Farm & Nutrition Field Day - June 1
There will be a Farm and Nutrition Field Day on June 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Oakdale Farms in Rome. Breakout session topics will include gardening, pasture management, fencing, 4-H projects, canning , food safety and more. This event is open to all, and a lunch will be provided. Please contact the GSWCC Region I office at 706-295-6131 or lrush@gaswcc.org for more information.
Georgia Small Farm Conference - June 20 - 21 - No cost for farmers to attend
The Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District is sponsoring a statewide conference at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Ga., on June 20-21, 2013, that will focus on helping farmers with small-scale operations improve their farms and run them more efficiently. Financial assistance through the Broad River Soil and Water Conservation District and the Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development Council will cover costs for 120 farmers to attend the meeting, which includes one night at the Lodge at Unicoi State Park. For other individuals interested in attending, the registration cost is $220, which includes one night’s lodging. The two-day meeting will include general educational sessions covering major agricultural topics, as well as breakout sessions covering topics unique to small farming operations. Registrations must be received by June 10. Farmers interested in attending should contact the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Region II office at 706-552-4479 or email region2@gaswcc.org.
Climate-specific organic grain and oilseed production workshop – June 27
The free all-day workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature national experts in various types of organic grain production specific to Georgia's climate. A mixture of classroom presentations and in the field training's will give participants a great understanding of how to get started. The event will take place at NESPAL, 2360 Rainwater Road, NESPAL Building, Tifton, Ga. 31793-5737. Lunch will be provided for all attendees. Registration is required. Email Kate Munden or call 706-542-8084.
NACD Southeast Region Meeting - August 11 - 13
The National Association of Conservation Districts Southeast Region is holding its annual meeting in at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Ga., from August 11 - 13, 2013. Hosted by the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors (GACDS), the meeting brings together representatives from soil and water conservation districts around the Southeast U.S.
Dam Safety Workshop for owners and operators - August 27
The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), in conjunction with the GA Department of Natural Resources, Safe Dams Program, is offering a one-day Dam Safety Workshop for Owners and Operators on August 27 in Atlanta. The workshop is designed to provide practical, straightforward information on topics of importance to anyone that owns or operates a dam. Register at http://www.damsafety.org/media/Documents/PDF/2013%20GA%20web%20flyer%20august.pdf
NRCS Sustainable Agriculture Workshops
International Agribusiness Conference & Expo - September 25 & 26
Sponsored by Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, the conference gives farmers and companies an opportunity to meet international trade representatives and learn more about exporting Georgia products. Included are educational forums, workshops, and exhibits that focus on producing, processing and packaging agricultural products for export. More information and registration is available by emailing Curtis Woody, calling 912-478-8678 or going to www.iace.us.com .