Washington County native resident Eddy Turner has been named a National Soil Health Champion.
The Central Georgia Conservation District (SWCD) recently announced that Turner had been named a Soil Health Champion by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).
The Central Georgia Conservation District nominated Eddy Turner based on his work in promoting soil health management practices on his own farm and advancing the adoption of these practices within his community.
Soil Health Champions are recognized for raising awareness about the benefits of soil health practices from the local level to a national one. Champions are asked to share their personal experiences through the national network on a peer-to-peer basis and through NACD-hosted national meetings and events.
Eddy Turner began his soil health journey on his family’s farm near Tennille, where he spent his youth tending to chores until he was old enough to operate tractors, combines, and cotton pickers. Engaged in 4-H and the FFA, Turner held early ambition to farm alongside his father. However, the elder Turner encouraged his son to pursue a business career first. While Eddy adhered to his father’s wishes, he maintained a passion for farming and in his spare time, worked alongside his dad.
Turner would enjoy a long and prosperous career in the Kaolin industry. Then, in 1976, he purchased a 280-acre farm that had been neglected for many years, embarking on a journey to clear brush and restore abandoned fields. Through the droughts of 1977 through 1982 and turbulent economic conditions with high interest rates, he adapted by transitioning from row crops to focusing on cattle and forage production, aligning with the capabilities of his land during dry periods.
Over the years, Turner expanded his holdings, acquiring additional acreage in 1992 and 2001, totaling 580 acres with a mix of farmland, improved pine timber, and natural hardwoods. Utilizing programs from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, he converted marginal row crop land to loblolly pine.
Today, he grows 125 acres of hybrid Bermuda hay and sells to consumers for horses, cattle, and grass fed beef production. The hay is sold based on quality measured by University of Georgia forage analysis. Since 2014, his hay has consistently ranked among the top three in the Southeast Hay Quality contest.
“God grows the hay, we only harvest it,” said the humble farmer.
Eddy Turner does admit that one must also have the necessary knowledge and expertise to annually ensure consistent high-quality yields. He sells around 35,000 small bales per year to farm retail centers and nearly 400 round bales directly to grass fed cattle producers.
Beyond hay production, Turner actively enhances soil health on 55 acres of row crop land. He employs multi-species cover crops during the winter including oats, crimson clover, Persian clover, daikon radish, and kale. He follows with grain sorghum, sun hemp, or sunflowers in summer – adopting no-till practices to increase organic matter and carbon content.
The results have been promising, with organic matter rising from 1.6 percent to 2.6 percent over a four year period, enhancing water retention and reducing herbicide use. With a goal to maximize organic matter left on the soil surface, he was able to demonstrate these applications and benefits at the farm when hosting a Soil Health Workshop this past fall.
Turner’s stewardship extends to wildlife management with dedicated plots and buffer strips around cropland to improve habitat for deer, turkey, and quail. The wildlife plots are no-till for both winter and summer plants.
Engaged in agricultural leadership, Eddy Turner serves as President of the Washington County Farm Bureau, Chairman of the Washington County Ag Center and Annual Ag Center Rodeo, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association. He is also on the Board of Supervisors for Central Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District.
Outside of farming, Turner and his wife, Ruthi, cherish family time with their three adult children and two grandsons. He is a committed member of the First Baptist Church of Sandersville, serving in multiple leadership roles.
Last year, Eddy Turner was recognized as District Conservationist of the Year.