(a) There is established, to serve as an agency of the state and to perform the functions conferred upon it in this article, the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

(b) Five district soil and water conservation supervisors, who shall be appointed by the Governor as provided in this Code section, shall serve as members of the commission. Commencing with appointments for the year 1977, the Governor shall appoint to the commission one supervisor from each of the five Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors' groups. Such initial appointments were for terms of office of one, two, three, four, and five years, respectively. Thereafter, successors shall be appointed for terms of office of five years and until their successors are duly appointed.

(c) The following persons shall serve ex officio in an advisory capacity to the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission:

(1) The director of the Cooperative Extension Service;

(2) The commissioner of natural resources;

(3) The director of experiment stations of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia;

(4) The executive director of the Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service;

(5) The Georgia state director of the Farmer's Home Administration;

(6) The director of the Southern Piedmont Conservation Research Center;

(7) The president of the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors;

(8) The director of the State Forestry Commission;

(9) The Georgia supervisor of national forests of the U.S. Forestry Service;

(10) The state conservationist of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service;

(11) The dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia;

(12) The state supervisor of agricultural education in this state;

(13) The Commissioner of Agriculture; and

(14) Such other representatives of state or federal agencies as the commission deems desirable.

(d) The commission shall adopt a seal, which shall be judicially noticed. It may perform such acts, hold such public hearings, and promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the execution of its functions under this article.