The GGLCC offers forage and livestock producers an opportunity to compete for practice demonstration cost-share assistance in odd-numbered years.  To date, $800,000 of the Georgia Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative allocation has been allocated to this project.  The selected operations are used for field days, tours, and other educational opportunities.    

     Funded participants work with their local NRCS Conservationist and Cooperative Extension Service (CES) County Agent to develop a practice implementation plan that addresses the specific goals and needs described in the producer's cost-share application.  Flat rate costs, based on the best locally available information, to install or implement each practice are agreed on and included in the practice implementation plan.  When a practice is considered ‘complete’ by the local NRCS and/or CES office, funded participants are reimbursed 50% of the flat rate cost for applying the practice, not to exceed a completed project total reimbursement of $10,000.

     Adding to 43 participants from the past two sign-ups, 22 additional operations were funded in 2003.  For participants in the 2003 project, all practices in the practice implementation plan must be completed by December 31, 2005.  No practice application extensions will be granted.  

     Click on the cow above to view a map showing counties with 2001 and 2003 cost-share participants.

     The success of this project can be summed up in the comments that follow.

     "The money has enabled me to accomplish all the goals that I listed in my application.  Little did I realize how much a well-designed handling facility would help in my cattle operation!  I have...fenced the cattle away from a small stream...and now have a buffer between the cattle and the stream.  I have also installed some cross fencing which has greatly improved my ability to rotational graze the pastures.  In short, the grazing coalition cost share project has enabled me to do everything that I wanted and needed to do and I am most appreciative!  You and your staff are most welcome to visit my farm and see the facility and other improvements.  [The District Conservationist] and I have discussed having a Field Day for local cattlemen who have small herds like mine."

Tom Aiken
Circle A Farm
Barnesville, Georgia