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RC&D
Overview
Over 40 years ago,
Congress established a unique program within the U.S.
Department of Agriculture that empowered rural people to
help themselves. The USDA focus was to assist local people
by providing tools and technical support to stabilize and
grow their own communities while protecting and developing
natural resources. To carry out the RC&D concept, diverse
groups of local volunteers (The RC&D Council) are brought
together in a unique partnership to find solutions to their
problems. Local people are best able to determine needs and
create solutions for their Community. The focus on local
direction and control has made RC&D one of the most
successful rural development programs of the Federal
Government. The focus of the program provides for the
sustainability of local economies and resources.
The History of South Centré Corridors RC&D Council
Back in 2000, a small
group of committed volunteers formed a steering committee to
discuss RC&D and how it might impact this part of Virginia.
Our boundaries were drawn and application was prepared ands
submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture. We
were formally authorized as South
Centré Corridors RC&D by Secretary of Agriculture Ann
Veneman in January 2002.
Our Mission
Developing partnerships to advocate
and promote the conservation, preservation, and development
of our resources to enhance the quality of life in the
region.
Our
Vision
for
the area was and still is "a place where our children and
grandchildren are proud to call home because of the abundant
recreational opportunities, a sustained agriculture economy,
preservation of the rural character, enhanced environmental
quality and the existence of vibrant, safe urban areas."
Our Goals
- Promoting environmental
educational opportunities to adults and youth
- Increasing the use of best
management practices in rural and urban areas
- Improving water quality of
impaired streams
- Improving revitalization of urban
and rural areas
- Increasing recreational
opportunities
- Creating and retaining businesses
through entrepreneurial education and training
opportunities
- Providing educational
opportunities to farmers and landowners on agriculture
and forestry
- Increasing the use of bio-energy
alternatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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