Conservation, Wildlife, and Farmland Protection Educational Programs: The Georgia Experience

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Conservation, Wildlife, and Farmland Protection
Educational Programs The Georgia Experience

• R. Curt Lacy1, Wes L. Harris2,
• Keith D. Kightlinger1 and Amanda Ziehl1
• 1 Extension Economists, Department of
  Agricultural Applied Economics
• 2 Special Projects Coordinator, Center for
  Agribusiness Economic Development
• The University of Georgia
• Contact Dr. Curt Lacy, clacy_at_uga.edu

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Background

• The 2002 Farm Bill added additional funds to
  conservation programs such as the CRP, WRP, EQIP,
  WHIP, FRLPP and GRP.
• The 2002 Farm Bill also introduced a new program,
  the Conservation Security Program (CSP).
• Other than CRP, participation in many of these
  programs has been low.
• A survey of Georgia County Agents and producers
  confirmed that reasons for the low participation
  were lack of knowledge about the programs
  specifically as it related to
• Focus,
• Mechanics,
• Requirements and
• Benefits

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Background-continued

• With an average farm size of 56.5 acre in Georgia
  there is also considerable interest in
• Conservation easements.
• Sale of development rights.
• Other tools used to limit residential or
  commercial development of rural property.

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Response
To address this need a multi-agency educational
program was proposed.

• State
• UGA CAES
• GASWCC
• GFC
• DNR
• RCD Councils

• Federal
• FSA
• USFS
• NRCS
• NGO
• National Wild Turkey Federation

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Program Delivery

• Wildlife, Conservation and Farmland Protection
  Workshops
• County meetings regarding conservation easements
• State and regional presentations on the CSP and
  operation level impact
• County-agent in-service trainings

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Wildlife, Conservation and Farmland Protection
Workshops

• Four day-length workshops were held in Georgia.
• Workshops were held on Saturday to facilitate
  participation.
• Participants had the opportunity to hear from and
  interact with most agencies.

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Wildlife, Conservation and Farmland Protection
Workshops
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Program Contents

• Welcome Overview of Agenda
• Overview of Government Conservation Wildlife
  Programs
• Overview of NGO Conservation and Wildlife
  Programs
• Economic and Other Considerations of Conservation
  Easements and Farmland Protection Programs in
  Georgia
• Tax Implications of Conservation, Wildlife and
  Farmland Protection Programs
• Presentations by various state and federal
  agencies about their particular programs

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Evaluations and Results

• Attendance was disappointing
• Carrolton 15
• Athens -25
• Tifton 20
• Statesboro 35
• However, those that attended were especially
  grateful about the descriptions and requirements
  of the programs.
• Several agency representatives were AMAZED at the
  level of duplication AND competition between some
  programs.
• Most agencies are interested in cooperative
  education.
• Saturday meetings are a problem for some federal
  agencies.

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Other Programs

• County meetings regarding conservation easements
• State and regional presentations on the CSP and
  operation level impact
• County-agent in-service trainings

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What Now??

• Plan and execute field days.
• Get tooled up for 2007 Farm Bill.
• Develop decision-aids to help producers make
  farm/ranch level decisions.

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Questions?
clacy_at_uga.edu