Ohoopee River SWCD

GACD Group 4 Elects Vice Presidents

At their Group Meeting on April 30th, 2026, members of the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) elected Michael Raulerson of Pierce County as GACD Group 4 Vice-President, and Eddy Turner of Washington County as GACD Group 4 Alternate Vice-President. They will each serve two year terms and represent the Southeast area of the state on the GACD Board.

Michael Raulerson was appointed to the Satilla River Soil and Water Conservation District in 2022. Michael was born and raised in Bacon County on a cattle and row crop farm where he showed registered Polled Herefords at the local, state, and national level. He received an AS from Valdosta State College and was hired in 1991 as an Air Traffic Controller with the FAA. Michael retired in 2015 from the FAA and returned to Blackshear and purchased his grandfather’s farm. His family currently raises boar goats, commercial cattle, and farms 180 acres of hay. Conservation practices are currently being utilized on his farm and he also assists others in the community with their projects.

Eddy Turner was appointed to the Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District board in 2023. Eddy is a lifelong resident of Washington county. Married to Ruthi Turner with grown children Trey, Mac and Shelley and four grandchildren. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Sandersville serving as Deacon and adult Sunday School teacher. He currently owns and operates a commercial hay business on a family farm supplying premium quality hay for horse and grass fed beef markets. Eddy was nominated as GACD’s Conservationist of the Year in 2025.

The mission of GACD is to advocate for the conservation of Georgia’s natural resources by providing organization, leadership, and a unified strategic direction to the Conservation Districts of the state. For more information on GACD or to explore opportunities on how you can support our efforts, visit the organization online at www.gacd.us or on Facebook .