The week of March 19-23, 2018 is celebrated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture as Agriculture Awareness Week in Georgia. In the 18 counties served by the Southern Georgia Regional Commission agricultural industries represent more than 5,000 jobs and a large part of the land area of the region. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission applauds our local farmers and agricultural producers throughout the region and wants to make others aware of grant opportunities for farmers, ag producers and homeowners.
 
The SGRC has partnered with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, local governments and local farmers and ag producers, and homeowners looking for assistance to restore water quality and reduce contamination of local waterways. Working in the Pride Branch (western Brooks County) and New River (eastern Tift and northern Berrien and Cook Counties) the SGRC staff can help farmers and ag producers with conservation of water and soil through implantation of agricultural best management practices with grant funding from the GA EPD.
 
Best Management Practices or BMP’s that are have been popular in the past in this region include cover crop planting to reduce sediment runoff, installation of fencing to prevent animals from wading in open streams, and installation of irrigation retrofits, watering wells, troughs, and concrete heavy use areas (paddocks) to reduce fecal runoff from animals. Homeowners can also implement BMP’s through these grant funds with the installation or repair of existing septic systems, installing rain barrels, and rain gardens.
 
All pre-approved BMPs (agricultural and homeowner) receive a 50/50 reimbursable grant from the SGRC/EPD, applications are being accepted now and are noncompetitive! If any farmers, Ag producers or homeowners interested in this program, please contact Charles Nimmo with the Southern Georgia Regional Commission at [email protected] or 229-333-5277 for more information.