GACDs Feral Swine District Initiative Brier Creek Conservation

GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative Brier Creek Conservation District Ogeechee River Conservation District Piedmont Conservation District Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District Tom Mims GACD Feral Swine Committee Chairman 706 -830 -1954 tmims 14@comcast. net

GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative q Currently active in Brier Creek, Ogeechee River, Blue Ridge Mountain, and Piedmont Conservation Districts q Methodology Employed by the Feral Swine District Initiative Update : o Identify a local hog control custodian (HCC) to manage trapping and /or any thermal night shooting operations requested by producers / landowners, this is the central element of the district’s methodology and the key to achieving success. § Once HCC identified, Districts purchase and provide hog control equipment to their HCC on a custodial basis (free of charge, current cost of $8650 ). § Landowners needing assistance must compensate the HCC. The HCC and landowner are free to negotiate an agreed upon compensation for trapping services (including establishment / maintenance of bait sites), and / or thermal shooting at night.

GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative q The “GACD Feral Swine District Initiative Update” has been a significant achievement , and efforts are underway to expand this capability to the other conservation districts across Georgia. o Education Outreach / Feral Swine Workshops / Trapping Equipment Demonstrations ü Dec 11, 2018 – Blackshear, GA ( attendance 50 ) ü Dec 18, 2018 – Dawsonville, GA ( attendance 90 ) ü Jan 7, 2019 -- Quitman, GA ( attendance 60) ü Jan 29, 2019 -- Hawkinsville, GA ( attendance ~ 140) o GACD seeking grant funding / sponsors and legislative actions to fund expansion of district feral swine control projects across Georgia o Conservation districts currently discussing possibility of starting a feral swine control program: o Satilla River o Upper Chattahoochee River o Middle South Georgia o Alapaha ( voted and identified HCC ) o Altamaha o Ocmulgee River

GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative

GACD’s Feral Swine District Initiative q The methodology has proven successful, the main challenge to expanding this program is securing funding ($8650 per HCC). q Possible funding approaches: o Local: Conservation districts could seek sponsors for all or part of the $8, 650 needed to start a feral swine control program. o State: • GACD continues to fund / reimburse districts as funding becomes available thru NRCS or other grant opportunities. • Georgia could possibly appropriate a level of state grant funding each year to the GA Dept of Agriculture for feral swine control (any amount that can be afforded in blocks of $8. 65 K). Georgia’s conservation districts could apply for this state grant funding once they have identified and vetted an HCC. o Federal: • In the new farm bill $75 M will be allocated 50/50 to NRCS and USDA APHIS to fund education outreach and feral swine control pilot projects. NRCS and / or USDA APHIS could allocate cost share grant funding in areas of States in which feral swine have been identified as a threat to agriculture, native ecosystems, or human or animal health. Conservation districts in identified pilot areas across US could apply for grant funding once they have identified a HCC. District Program’s Level of Success - Defined by Ag Producer / Landowners • In 2018, several Jenkins County farmers returned to planting corn and peanuts in some of their best quality soils adjacent to wetland areas !! • One farmer reported that he could no longer farm without feral swine control, and results achieved made him optimistic about the future.

How to Participate: Ø For Conservation Districts interested in starting a feral swine control program: ü Contact Tom Mims, Chair of GACD Feral Swine Control Committee @ 706 -830 -1954, email tmims 14@Comcast. net ü GACD will work with you to acquire funding required to get your program started. Ø For individuals interested in becoming a Hog Control Custodian (HCC): ü Contact your Conservation District: Ocmulgee River Conservation District