Perry County: Title III Program

As rural county in a rural state, Perry County, Mississippi is the very definition of forestland. Almost 90% of the total land area is forested. Unlike most counties in Mississippi, public forestland makes up a greater percentage of the total than forest industry and private, non-industrial lands. This does not lessen the impact of the timber industry on the everyday lives of those living or working in Perry County, however. The average salary for someone working in the forest industry in Perry County is slightly over $30,000. That's almost 10% more than the county average.

Perry County is located just east of Forrest County and is bordered to the south by Stone. The county seat of New Augusta is within a 30-minute drive of Hattiesburg, and just over an hour away from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This location provides citizens of Perry County with all of the peace and security of a country life, with the convenience of near-by metropolitan areas.

Perry County is also home to two major forest products mills, which provide employment for many people. Both Georgia Pacific and Hood Industries operate mills in Perry County, which employ many workers by running shifts 24 hours a day. Due to a recent upgrade to the Georgia Pacific mill's pulp processing capabilities the forest industry in Perry County is stronger than ever. This will help the economy of Perry County by ensuring that the mill stays competitive in an increasingly world market for forest products.

This web site is sponsored by the Perry County Board of Supervisors through Title III of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act of 2000.

Supervisors

• District 1 - Bobby Bolton
• District 2 - Prentiss Garner
• District 3 - John Anderson
• District 4 - John R. Thompson
• District 5 - W.P. "Billy" Cooley

Other Forrest Forestry Information

• Learn more about Forestry
• Perry County Forestland Demographics
• Recent Perry County news and events
• Forest History Calendar Available

Sources of Forrest County Assistance

• County Forester, MS Forestry Commission, Kyle Bush - (601) 788-6006.
  Provides management advice to landowners. Responsible for forest fire control and management of 16th section lands. A primary source of regeneration assistance, the MFC has 2 seedling nurseries where improved varieties of loblolly and slash pine are grown. NOTE: Order your seedlings early through the County Forester, as there has been a seedling shortage in recent years. The County Forester is also the primary contact for regeneration assistance through the Forest Resources Development Program (FRDP), which provides cost-share monies for both site prep and planting.
• County Director, MSU Extension Service, Florieda Mason - (601) 964-3668.
  The County Director provides educational programs and assistance to landowners. The County Director also has a variety of Extension Service publications available that address many forestry and forest-related topics. The Director is also actively involved with the local County Forestry Association.
• Farm Service Agency, Ken Barron - (601) 583-1184.
  USDA has administered federal farm programs since the 1930's. USDA reorganized in 1994 and created the FSA by combining the former Agricultural Stabilization and conservation service (ASCS) with the farm loan division of Farmers Home Administration (FmHA). FSA currently administers forestry-related programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) as well as other agriculture programs.
• Natural Resources Conservation Service, Paul Caves - (601) 583-1951.
  The NRCS provides technical advice, and frequently works with other agencies to address various natural resource conservation issues. This agency provides the Soil Surveys for individual counties, in addition to field surveys for ponds, terraces, gully control and conservation planning.
• County Forestry Association.
  Composed of landowners, foresters, and others interested in forestry and forestry-related issues. This group holds meetings, field days, and other events to promote the management and protection of Mississippi's vital forest resource. Each County Forestry Association is affiliated with the Mississippi Forestry Association. Membership in the Forrest County Forestry Association is $10 per person or $15 per family. Contact any of the agencies listed on this sheet for more information.
• Mississippi Forestry Association.
  A statewide organization of landowners, forester, natural resource professionals, and others interested in Mississippi's forest resources. The MFA's mission is to serve as the "Voice of Forestry" in Mississippi and to conduct public affairs, communications, and educational programs that will foster better understanding of and an appreciation for the forests and forest-based industries of Mississippi.
• Consulting Foresters.
  A consulting forester spends most of his or her time each year performing technical forestry work on a fee or contract basis. These services are offered to the public rather than to a single full-time employer. A list of consultants in the area can be obtained from the County Forester or the Board of Registration for Forester website, http://www.cfr.msstate.edu/borf/.
• Landowner Assistance Programs.
  Various large timber companies (Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, and others) have programs for private landowners. They vary from company to company, but all serve to help landowners manage their forestlands. These programs can offer regeneration assistance, herbicide spraying, general timber management, and other service useful to a landowner. Contact you County Forester for information on firms in your area offering such programs.

Calendar of Events

• To Be Announced