The Oconee River Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2005. As the Council moves into its next 25 years, Oconee River RC&D has a variety of projects to celebrate.
The Oconee River RC&D Council Area is comprised of 14 northeast Georgia counties and is one of 11 RC&D Council Areas in the state. The Oconee River RC&D Council strives to represent the diversity of its population and land uses with the projects it supports. Diversity is significant to the Council considering it serves the metro and suburban areas of Athens, Commerce, Milledgeville, and Monroe, while supporting extensive agricultural land use activities associated with poultry, beef and dairy operations throughout the 14 county area. Oconee County, which is at the heart of the RC&D Council Area, was selected as #3 onProgressive Farmer’s 2006 Best Places [to live in Rural America] top ten list. Oconee County was selected as #2 on the 2005 list.
Poultry, beef, and dairy operations abound throughout the counties in the Council Area, but are intertwined in some areas with expanding population centers. The mingling of population growth in rapidly urbanizing areas with agricultural operations that have existed for decades causes concern over the loss of productive agricultural land to development. Additionally, as the demographics of the population changes, the understanding of farming practices can diminish, giving the Council an opportunity to become an interface between the urban and rural populations.
Several Oconee River RC&D Council Area counties rank among Georgia’s top ten for poultry, beef and dairy numbers, and have done so for several years running. Published in the 2003 Edition of Georgia Agricultural Facts, Jackson, Morgan, Madison, and Putnam Counties ranked among the top ten for cattle and calves on Georgia Farms. Additionally, Putnam, Morgan and Greene Counties ranked among the top ten for milk cows on Georgia Farms. While county specific statistics are no longer published for broiler numbers, counties such as Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe are known to be major contributors to Georgia’s state total.
Included in the diversity of the Oconee River RC&D Council Area are two major components of the University System of Georgia. Athens is home to the University of Georgia, while Milledgeville is home to Georgia College and State University.
Our 2005 Annual Report provides a brief history of the Council’s development and projects, as well as an overview of our 2005 accomplishments.
Please contact us for additional information.
Click here for our 2004 Annual Report.