MOULTRIE, Ga.  — A six class Georgia Landowner Academy is being planned for the fall of 2017 to serve landowners with 10 or more acres. The program will instruct participants on how to make their land more profitable and sustainable, how to apply for USDA programs, and provide estate planning assistance. It will also address heirs property issues, recordkeeping, forestry, and wildlife management.

The Academy will be held at the Dawson Main Street Theater at 125 N. Main St. in Dawson, GA every other week on the following dates:  Sept. 5 and 19; Oct. 3, 17, and 30; and Nov. 14. Classes will be from 5:30pm to 9pm and dinner will be provided.

The Academy is free and open to anyone owning at least 10 acres in Georgia, although pre-registration is required. Seating is limited and is available on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested is encouraged to register no later than Aug. 31st. Participants are requested to attend all six sessions. For registration information, contact the Golden Triangle Regional Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) at 229-723-3841.

The Georgia Landowner Academy is a collaborative project between Georgia Heirs Property Law Center, The Golden Triangle RC&D in Blakely, GA, University of Georgia’s Southern Regional Extension Forestry, Georgia Forestry Commission, Fort Valley State University and the following USDA agencies: The Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, National Agricultural Statistics Service, and the Georgia office of The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS is currently providing a grant that allows for the program to be offered to the community at no charge.