News Feature                                                            9/9/2009

Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Week will be held from September 20 to 26, 2009

Every year, National RC&D Week commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the RC&D program and recognizes local RC&D councils and their projects.

RC&D Councils

Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils play an important role in the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources. RC&D Councils work to improve the general level of economic activity and to enhance the environment and standard of living in all communities. Councils provide a system of rural development to encourage the wise use of natural resources, and improve the quality of life in America.

Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars.

Councils provide a focal point of local leadership and bring together private citizens and local, state and federal agencies to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area.

RC&D Councils have proven ability and strength of leadership to engage and accomplish projects from the local to the national level.
The RC&D program, first authorized by the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, P. L. 87-703, received permanent authorization as part of the 2002 Farm Bill. The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers the program.

The purpose of the RC&D program is to encourage and improve the capability of volunteer, locally elected, and civic leaders in designated RC&D areas to plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and community development.

Projects relate to the following four areas:

(1) Land Conservation (3) Land Management
(2) Community Development (4) Water Management

The RC&D program helps people care for natural resources and improve the quality of life in their communities. The RC&D Council (volunteers representing public and private sector sponsors and other local organizations) undertake community driven actions that are strategically focused on regional resource conservation and economic viability. RC&D priorities are set by area residents to meet their needs.

For more information about RC&D in Minnesota, please visit the RC&D website at:  http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/rcd/index.html

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