The Richmond Hill Lions Club met jointly with Fred Warnell, club member and supervisor with the Coastal Georgia Soil and Water Conservation, on May 23.  
Warnell presented a program on organic gardening and farming.  
The Coastal Georgia Soil and Water Conservation covers many areas, such as erosion and sediment control, educational programs, and site inspections for development.  This district includes Bryan, Liberty, Chatham, Long and McIntosh counties.
Jimmy Hayes presented a slideshow on organic farming, showing the procedures and machines used on his farm. In organic farming, produce is not genetically modified.
Dr. George Boykin also presented a slideshow and explained the different types of farming.
He discussed integrated systems of plant and animal production practices having site specific application, no-till production, greenhouse, hoop houses, unheated greenhouses, hydroponic farming (not organic) and aquaponic farming (integrating fish and using the water as fertilizer).  Certification must be applied for in order for produce to carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic seal.  
Boykin also talked about crops being planted at different times of the year and the importance of building soil.
He explained the process of growing Vidalia onions and many other topics and answered questions asked about plants and gardening.