Berrien County’s Jake Ford Steps into Role of Immediate Past President of GACD Amid Expanded Conservation Initiatives

By Carol A. Gasser Moore |

Jekyll Island, Glynn County, Georgia – At the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) Annual Meeting—held August 17–19 at Jekyll Island—Jake Ford was officially sworn in as Immediate Past President of GACD. In this advisory role, he’ll leverage his experience to guide the organization’s collaboration with the USDA, state agencies, and all 40 Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Districts in championing conservation efforts across the state.

Honoring Tradition and Sustaining Vision

With a solid foundation as GACD President for the prior two years, Ford succeeds Mark Masters in the role of Immediate Past President. His leadership will maintain continuity and uphold GACD’s strategic momentum.

Ford’s deep ties in both the conservation and local agricultural community further empower his new role. A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (1993) and the University of Georgia (1995), he also participated in Leadership Georgia’s class of 2018 and served as Program Chair in 2020–2021. Beyond his academic and leadership credentials, he co-owns Georgia Quality Pecan, serves as Deacon and Treasurer of Alapaha Baptist Church, and sits on the board of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association. Ford’s decade-plus tenure as District Supervisor for Berrien County’s Alapaha Conservation District—three of which were as Chair—adds to his credibility. He resides in Alapaha with his wife Jaclyn and children J Manry and Mabry, where they run a diversified farm raising pecans, cattle, and row crops.

Spotlight on GACD’s 2025 Highlights

Youth Outreach and Scholarship Advancement

One of the standout moments of 2025 came in mid-June, when Emily Sloboda of Fulton County was awarded a $6,500 scholarship—the highest at the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop (NRCW) held at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton on June 16–17. GACD, in partnership with Georgia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts, granted the award to support Emily’s pursuit of conservation studies.

National Honors & District Recognition

In February, GACD was honored with NACD’s coveted 100% District Participation Award, acknowledging that all 40 Georgia Conservation Districts paid their NACD membership dues—a significant show of unified support.

Leadership Elevation at National Level

Also in February, Mark Masters—GACD’s outgoing Past President—was elected as First Vice President of NACD during the national organization’s annual meeting. He continues to serve as Past President of GACD and as District Supervisor for Lower Chattahoochee.

Advocacy Day at the Capitol

On February 25, GACD hosted its annual Conservation District Day at the Capitol in Atlanta. This event gathers grassroots participants who deliver conservation messages directly to legislators—demonstrating GACD’s commitment to policy advocacy.

Regional Honor—Alan Toney’s Hall of Fame Induction

Another remarkable moment came just weeks before the meeting: on August 4, Fulton County Supervisor Alan Toney was inducted into the NACD Southeast Region Conservation Hall of Fame in Louisville. With 31 years of dedicated service as a District Supervisor and Chair, Toney’s conservation legacy includes founding Georgia Adopt‑A‑Stream, working with Jimmy Carter on river protection initiatives, and continuing grassroots water quality monitoring and habitat restoration efforts.

What to Watch Next: GACD’s Upcoming Initiatives

Looking ahead, GACD has several promising events and programs scheduled:

• September 24: Hall County Pond Health Workshop at Elachee Nature Center—a hands-on session on pond ecosystem management.
• September 25: Upper Ocmulgee River SWCD/Jasper County Feral Swine Workshop at Thomas Persons Hall—targeting feral hog control responses.
• 2025 Poster Contest: The theme for the statewide student artwork contest is “Home is Where the Habitat Is”. Entries begin at the local level and escalate to state and national recognition.

Summary: A Year of Strengthening Roots & Laying New Foundations

Jake Ford’s transition to Immediate Past President marks not just a continuation of strong leadership, but also a symbolic passing of the torch infused with fresh momentum. GACD’s actions this year—from youth scholarships and national honors to policy advocacy and expansive outreach—signal a dynamic and resilient organization poised for future growth.