Local Farmers Honored at Ogeechee River Soil & Water Conservation Banquet

Thursday evening, the Ogeechee River Soil & Water Conservation District honored a series of regional farmers for their dedication to sustainable stewardship of the land. In a packed room at the Evans County Wildlife Center in Hagan, attendees heard from Chairman of the Ogeechee SWCD Fred Blitch, Jr., David Walden – Area 4 Assistant State Conservationist of the NRCS, Regional Representative Dustin Rushing, Tippins Bank President Paul Eason, Vice Chairman of the Ogeechee SWCD Gary Bell, and Resource Specialist Paul Phillips.

The following farmers were recognized for their efforts and awarded ‘Conservationist of the Year’:

• Bulloch County – Mike Waters (Waters Farm)
• Candler County – David Coursey
• Evans County – William E. Callaway Jr.
• Effingham County – Ronald E. Morgan, Sr. (Sweetbay Farms)
• Screven County – Edward Boddiford, III
• Tattnall County – Shane Joseph Brannen

Additionally, the Conservation District Awarded a scholarship to Claxton High School student Brad Hall who hopes to attend ABAC in the fall.

Attendees also heard from the Endangered Species Biologist from Fort Steward Fish and Wildlife and power lifting World Champion Dee Mincey, who was the event’s keynote speaker. Dinner was prepared and served by members of the congregation at Bellville United Methodist Church.

The following businesses sponsored the “Conservationist of the Year” program:

Bulloch County

• BB&T
• Farmers & Merchants Banks
• Sea Island Bank
• AgSoouth Farm Credit
• Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
• Heritage Bank of the South
• Citizens Bank
• Core Credit Union
• Statesboro Bank

Candler County

• The Metter Bank – Durden Banking co., Inc.
• Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
• Pineland State Bank
• Sea Island Bank
• BB&T

Effingham County

• The Coastal Bank
• Heritage Bank of the South
• Amaris Bank

Evans County

• The Claxton Bank
• Tippins Bank & Trust Company

Screven County

• Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.
• Farmers & Merchants Bank
• BB&T
• Bank of Newington
• AgSouth Farm Credit

Tattnall County

• The Glennville Bank & Trust Company
• First Citizens Bank
• Heritage Bank of the South
• South Georgia Bank