ATHENS, Ga., June 2, 2009 – State Conservationist James E. Tillman, Sr., of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that $3,647,268 has been provided to Georgia for floodplain easement covering 563 acres under the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program’s floodplain easement component. 

ATHENS, GA, May 28, 2009- There’s still time for Georgia’s organic producers to apply for funding for conservation practices that help improve natural resources, according to State Conservationist James E. Tillman, Sr., of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  “We have extended the application window to June 5, 2009 to allow just a little more time for those producers who are just now hearing about the special organic initiative,” Tillman said.  “First-time applicants do not have to have everything in place by June 5,” Tillman added, “but they do need to come into one of our offices and sign an application.” 

ATHENS, GA, May 18, 2009- State Conservationist James E. Tillman, Sr., of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that $475,000 is available this fiscal year through the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) to help Georgia landowners help their land.  Although sign-up is continuous, to be eligible for this year’s funding, applications must be received by June 1, 2009.

ATHENS, May 7, 2009 – State Conservationist James E. Tillman, Sr., of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that $1.2 million has been provided to Georgia for a new initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production.  Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

Link to Organic Conservation Page

Link to EQIP Conservation Page

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2009 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the US Department of Agriculture is distributing $45 million in Recovery Act funds to rehabilitate aging flood control structures nationwide. These projects will help revitalize dams and rural economies by creating jobs and supporting local businesses that supply needed products and services. 
For information on Georgia's aging flood control structures please follow the Recovery Act Information link.

ATHENS, GA., March 25, 2009 --- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton will host this years Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) June 7 -11, for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students, who have not graduated from high school, from all around Georgia with a week of fun with conservation.   (29.4 KB)

USDA-NRCS Announces Ranking Window for Three Environmental

Conservation Programs: Approximately $3 Million Available

ATHENS, GA, Mar. 06, 2009-Acting State Conservationist Barbara Eggers, of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, (NRCS) announced today that farmers interested in being considered for funding via three conservation programs should get their applications on file before May 9, 2009. The three programs are: the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, (FRPP) the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP), and the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP).  Healthy Forests Georgia Fact Sheet (123 KB) Healthy Forests Georgia Q&As (123 KB)

Terry Hollis grew-up on a farm in Upson County, learning about farming from his father and uncles and began a love affair with farming that exists today. “I grew up on this farm watching my dad and uncles’ row crop and raising cattle. When I got old enough, I started to help out around the farm. I guess that was when the love for farming began to grow inside me,” said Hollis. Hollis’s father passed the farm to him in 2002.

In the early 1900’s, Henry Powell bought some land outside of the community of Fitzgerald in Irwin County and started a farm. Today, Jerome Powell, a third generation farmer, farms the same land his grandfather farmed – 11 of his 14 acres are now under micro-irrigation.