In a recent research project, The Progressive Farmer ranked Oconee County, Georgia, No. 2 on a list of "Best Places to Live in Rural America." The study ranked counties based on health care, education, climate, pollution index, crime index, and tax burden.

The population of Oconee County has grown steadily over the past several years as residents of nearby Athens and Atlanta discover the advantages of country living.

Traditional agriculture continues in Oconee County with poultry, beef cattle, row crops, and pine forests. The public and private schools in Oconee are considered excellent with some of the best SAT scores in Georgia. The county also boasts strong 4-H Club and FFA programs for young people. The programs have supported several successful Farm Service Agency (FSA) Youth Loan Projects. Oconee County High School Senior Heather Savelle recently gained national attention through FFA's Agri-Entrepreneur Education Awards Program.

Allen and Ann Powers, owners of the fourth-generation Breedlove Farm, demonstrate the high standards of stewardship found in Oconee County. Featured in The Progressive Farmer article and again in a USA Today story entitled "Best Places to Live in America," Allen and Ann have made use of several USDA programs, including CRP, to help preserve their 350-acre family farm.

In 2001, Breedlove Farm was experiencing considerable erosion as the result of cattle grazing along streams and ponds. Allen and Ann decided to enroll their marginal pastureland in FSA's Continuous CRP. The practice installed was a Riparian Buffer. Activities to complete the practice included fencing cattle out of the streams and ponds, installing alternative water sources, and planting trees. Three years into their 15-year CRP agreement, it is obvious that the Powers family has done an outstanding job of re-creating buffers along their streams and ponds resulting in reduced erosion, improved water quality, and better wildlife habitat.

Francie Powers stands next to her parents Ann and Allen Powers in the riparian buffer area of their farm.

Cattle at alternative water source provided through CRP. Fencing cattle off riparian buffer area improves water quality and reduces erosion from bank disturbance.

This pond benefits from the riparian buffer area established on the fourth-generation Breedlove Farm owned by the Powers family of Oconee County.

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