Over 40 years ago, Congress established a unique program within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that empowered rural people to help themselves - the Resource Conservation and Development Program. The focus was to help local people stabilize and grow their own communities while protecting and developing natural resources. To carry out this concept, diverse groups of local volunteers (The RC&D Council) are brought together in a unique partnership to find solutions to their problems. The focus on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the most successful rural development programs of the Federal Government.

The Southwest Nebraska RC&D Council was formed in 1992. The County Commissioners in each of the eight counties appoint two representatives to serve on the RC&D Board of Directors. The Board of Directors work with elected officials and organizations to conserve and develop our resources.

Southwest Nebraska RC&D Council and their partners have identified our primary resources as human resources our people and culture and natural resources-our air, water, soil, animals and plants.

Since 1992, Southwest Nebraska RC&D has helped implement over 130 projects that impact our human and natural resources. Some of them include:

• Southwest Nebraska Household Hazardous Waste Program; Community Wellhead Program; School Chemical Clean-Up and Waste Tire Collection to protect our environment.
• Southwest Nebraska Youth Entrepreneur Partnership; Southwest Dairy Recruitment; Woman's Ag Conference and other workshops for business developments to boost the local economy.
• Nebraska Development Network Southwest Region; Southwest Community Builders; the Furnas/Harlan Partnership and Southwest Nebraska Tourism Council to increase stewardship and cooperation in the region.
• Hitch-Hay Public Transit System, public park improvements and the NOAA Weather Alert System to improve services for our residents and visitors.

We invite you to get involved in the RC&D Program and help create a bright tomorrow for Southwest Nebraska.

The purpose of the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program is to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in authorized RC&D areas. It improves the capability of State, tribal and local units of government and local nonprofit organizations in rural areas to plan, develop and carry out programs for resource conservation and development. The program also establishes or improves coordination systems in rural areas.

Current program objectives focus on improvement of quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development which leads to sustainable communities, prudent use (development), and the management and conservation of natural resources. Authorized RC&D areas are locally sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds. NRCS can provide grants for land conservation, water management, community development, and environmental needs in authorized RC&D areas.

Because RC&D areas are locally organized, sponsored and led, the program provides an ideal way for residents to join together to decide what is best for their community.

National Association of RC&D Councils
WesternAssociation of RC&D Councils
Nebraska Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
United States Department of Agriculture