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GACD names 2025 award recipients, elects leadership team
Posted on Sep 10, 2025 at 12:23 PM
The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) presented its 2025 awards during its annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Aug.19, honoring those individuals who have gone above and beyond to advance conservation efforts for our state. The awards are Superior Professional Support, District of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Urban Conservationist of the Year and Conservationist of the Year. Scholarship recipients and special recognitions were also honored.
Dr. John Kay, a former district supervisor with the Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District, was inducted into the GACD Hall of Fame. Kay represented Towns County in the BRMCD beginning in 1999 and served as district chairman from 2010 until he retired in 2023.He led the Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District in many opportunities and projects throughout Rabun, Union, Towns, and Fannin Counties.
Kay was born and raised in Hart County, Georgia, where he grew up in a farm family with 12 children. He understands the hard work involved in maintaining a farm and the challenges of planting cotton, grain, and vegetables by mule. He learned a strong work ethic by watching his father work hard and listening to his guidance.
The GACD Hall of Fame preserves the history of the conservation movement in Georgia by recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to soil and water conservation.
Rev. Dr. John Kay, left, accepts congratulations from GACD President Brian Ponder on his induction into the GACD Hall of Fame. /Photo courtesy of GACD
Herbert Hodges received the Conservationist of the Year award, which recognizes farmers and landowners who are conducting exemplary conservation work on their land and have demonstrated a strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their land stewardship, outreach and community interactions, and/or education.Hodges, an ordained minister who practices what he preaches and shares the good news of his heart, is also a strong conservation advocate who helps connect minority landowners to resources to achieve their conservation goals.
Over the years, the Hodges family has hosted many groups to teach climate resilient land management techniques that reduce wildfire risk, sequester carbon emissions, and provide for a healthier and more diverse wildlife population. With assistance from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), longleaf pines were established on his farm in which he has since partnered with National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and NRCS Georgia to transform his farm into a “model farm” and provide mentorship to fellow landowners, specifically minority landowners. He has worked closely with NWF, NRCS, Pine Country RC&D, Georgia Forestry Commission, Ohoopee River Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), The Longleaf Alliance, the GA Heirs Property Law Center, Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, and many other groups to host workshops and to develop a first-of-its kind curriculum titled "Longleaf and the Landowner”, a 3-day Longleaf Academy tailored to the minority landowner experience and history.
Herbert Hodges, left, accepts the GACD Conservationist of the Year award from incoming GACD President Brian Ponder./Photo courtesy of GACD
Cory Rayburn was named Urban Conservationist of the Year, which recognizes urban conservationists for their exemplary work and strong commitment to soil and water conservation through their land stewardship, outreach, community interactions, and education in urban areas of Georgia.
GACD President Brian Ponder, left, presents the GACD Urban Conservationist award to Cory Rayburn. /Photo courtesy of GACD
The Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District was named District of the Year, which recognizes the conservation district in Georgia which best plans, implements, and reports a conservation program in a given year. The Blue Ridge Mountain Conservation District has been a consistent leader in the community by actively promoting conservation to local producers and students. The past two years, they have hosted “Georgia Beef Day,” a community event, to provide agricultural and natural resource conservation educational and agency offerings at the Union County Farmers Market with attendance of about 5000 people.
GACD President Brian Ponder, far right, congratulates members of the Blue Ridge Conservation District on their award. Pictured from left, are Dr. John Kay, Ann Stanley, Wayne Swanson & Frank Riley. / Photo courtesy of GACD
Deetra Poindexter was named Supervisor of the Year, presented in appreciation of district supervisors’ commitment to the protection of Georgia’s natural resources. Poindexter is district supervisor for the Clayton County Conservation District. Born and raised in Atlanta, Deetra majored in early childhood education in college and received an honorary doctorate from The Global International Alliance University in May 2022. She received this honor for making a difference in her community and the lives of youth for more than 30 years.
Deetra Poindexter, 2025 GACD Supervisor of the Year. / Photo courtesy of GACD
Jennifer Standridge received the Superior Professional Support award, presented to an individual for providing superior support to Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Georgia. Standridge Jennifer is the GSWCC Region II manager, providing support to 10 conservation districts. She provides administrative assistance and technical support and works closely with supporting agencies to provide conservation education through district events, workshops, and field days.
Jennifer Standridge accepts the 2025 GACD Superior Professional Support Award from GACD President Brian Ponder./Photo courtesy of GACD
The GACD also elected its new executive committee on Aug. 19:
• President – Brian Ponder, Middle South Georgia Conservation District, Tift County;
• Vice President – Tabatha Wooten, Altamaha Conservation District, Jeff Davis County;
• Vice President (re-elected) – Ellis Lamme, Gwinnett County Conservation District;
• Secretary (re-elected) – Jim Waters, Satilla River Conservation District, Pierce County;
• Treasurer – Andrew Standard, Coastal Conservation District, Liberty County;
• NACD Representative (re-elected) – Jimmy Bramblett, Lower Chattahoochee River Conservation District, Stewart County;
• Immediate Past President – Jake Ford, Alapaha Conservation District, Berrien County.
The newest GACD Executive Committee was elected in August. Front row, L-R, are Ellis Lamme, Brian Ponder & Tabatha Wooten; back row, L-R, Jimmy Bramblett, Andrew Standard, Jim Waters & Jake Ford./Photo courtesy GACD
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