The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center has been named Newton County’s Conservationist of the Year by the Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District. The award was presented after a small farmer workshop at the district’s annual program.

The FFA-FCCLA Center began its conservation efforts by installing cross fences in pastures and exclusionary fencing to keep cattle out of its ponds. The fencing practices have allowed the Center to incorporate rotational grazing.

Also, several locations were targeted for heavy-use areas, and water troughs have been installed in many of those areas. The center is constructing four heavy-use areas for feeding hay and plans to install more in the future. The center purchased a Great Plains no-till drill and each year overseeds the pastures with wheat, rye grass and clover.

The Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District includes Newton and Jasper counties.