Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources throughout the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia is estimated at $150 million. A group of agricultural and natural resource organizations are partnering to bring Georgia’s top experts on feral swine together in a series of educational workshops for farmers and landowners.
The partnering agencies will host workshops and trapping demonstration opportunities on the following date(s):
• May 4 at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Eatonton, GA (hosted by the Piedmont Conservation District)
• May 11 at the Honey Ridge Agricenter in Guyton, GA (hosted by the Ogeechee River Conservation District)
• May 20 at the Toombs County Ag Center in Lyons, GA (hosted by the Central Georgia and Ohoopee River Conservation District)
• May 24 at the Rabun Arena in Tiger, GA (hosted by the Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District)
• June 9 at the Billy Walker Agriculture Center in Douglas, GA (hosted by the Altamaha Conservation District)
Workshops will begin at 8:30am and end after lunch around 1:00pm. Topics will include disease issues, swine biology, economics, water quality issues, effective control techniques, transport issues, and regulations to be followed by a question and answer panel of experts. Each workshop will also include a feral swine trapping demonstration.
Partnering agencies for this effort include the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Wildlife Services, Georgia Association of Conservation Districts, Georgia Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources.
There is no cost to attend the workshops, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required. More details and registration information is available at www.GACD.us/events.