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

1. 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@uga.edu

2. 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

3. 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.

4. State UGA – CAES GASWCC GFC DNR RC&D Councils Federal FSA USFS NRCS NGO National Wild Turkey Federation Response To address this need a multi-agency educational program was proposed.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Wildlife, Conservation and Farmland Protection Workshops

8. 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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. Questions? clacy@uga.edu