Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District

10/03/2026

09/25/2026

09/08/2026

09/04/2026

The Oconee River SWCD Soil Health Workshop will be held on September 24, 2026, at Johnson Angus Farm, located at 2738 Cedar Grove Church Road, Jefferson, Ga 30549. Check in will begin at 9:45 am and programming will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Registration is required for this event to reserve your seat and meal. Registration for this event will close September 17.

Registration: https://www.gacd.us/events/2026/9/24/oconee-river-swcd-soil-health-workshop

This event offers 2 pesticide credits.

09/04/2026

Calling 3rd Grade Teachers!

Bring Hank the Cowdog into the classroom—and give your students the chance to become researchers along the way!

This fall, Texas Tech is studying the use of Hank the Cowdog in Student-Directed Research, connecting reading, ranching, plant growth, and hands-on investigation.

Participating classrooms receive:
- FREE classroom set of the Hank the Cowdog Ranch Life Learning Series
- $500 stipend
- 4-H Plant Pals Investigation
- Hands-on data collection
- Limited to 12 districts
- Fall 2026
- Open to 3rd grade students and teachers

Ready to bring a little ranch life—and a lot of curiosity—into your classroom? Click the link or scan the QR code to register!
https://url.edu-nation.org/i

08/21/2026

06/16/2026

A Conservation Easement Informational Workshop will be held on July 9 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Jackson County Agricultural Facility, 1869 County Farm Road, Jefferson, Georgia. Sponsored by the Oconee River Soil & Water Conservation District, this free educational event will provide farmland owners with valuable information about conservation easements and opportunities to receive compensation for permanently protecting agricultural land. Dinner will be provided for attendees.

Featured speakers include Annalise Sampson, Southeast Easement Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rick Hoffman of the North Georgia Land Trust. Participants will learn about the importance of conserving working farmland, the financial and environmental benefits of conservation easements, and the options available to landowners interested in preserving their property for future generations. RSVP by July 1 to Destini Phelps at [email protected] or call 706-552-4470.

06/02/2026

Grateful to our friends at the Madison-Morgan Conservancy for acquiring another 120 acres of working forest and timberland that will be permanently protected!

We are working everyday with conservationists and conservation groups across our state in conjunction with the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund to permanently protect and preserve Georgia farmland and forests.

06/01/2026

03/04/2026