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Historic, Archive Document Do assume not content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. 1 TJie United States Department of USDA Partners Agriculture's Resource Conservation and Natural Resources Conservation Service, — Development (RC&D) program helps in cooperation with people in rural areas plan and carry out Agricultural Research Service activities that increase conservation of Cooperative State Research, Education, natural resources, support economic and Extension Service development, and enhance the Economic Research Service environment and standard ofliving in local communities. Farm Service Agency RC&D Food and Nutrition Service Because areas are locally organized, sponsored, and led, the Forest Service programprovides an ideal wayfor Rural Development residents tojoin together to decide what is USDA Office of Community Development bestfor their community. provides technical andfinancial assistance and Rural Utilities Service sponsors obtain additionalfunding and servicesfrom a variety ofother sources. RC&D is successful because itprovides Downtown Revitalization people with the means to solve natural Project—In this rural resource problems andpromote community, "Main Street" gets an economic sustainable use ofnatural resources development boostthrough newjobs, job training, and at the local level. skills development, as well as a renovated community RC&D Thepremise ofthe program is center and a toy shop that uses hardwood trees that localpeople know what is bestfor indigenous to the area. their communities. A project of: Headwaters RC&D, Du Bois, Pennsylvania Because ofthis, localpeople create and RC&D organize their own areas, define their own goals, and work with a broad range ofpublic andprivate entities to School Lunch Program- Partnerships between local achieve their objectives. producers and schools in the community provide fresh People in the community make the choices vegetables so that local school children have for their community—whether they work nutritionally balanced meals. A project of: West Florida on land conservation, water management, RC&D, Marianna, Florida environmental enhancement, community development, or something unique to their particular area. In every case, localpeople are the decisionmakers. — Benefits For More Information RC&D makes communities better places to live in. Additional information on RC&D, including — RC&D projects provide practical solutions for a national map, directory of RC&D contacts, RC&D success stories, and hnks to area websites, Community Development is available on the web at Across the country, councils help create jobs and www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/RCCD/homepag3.htm. sponsor job training and skills development programs. Councils also work to improve or acquire needed community facilities, such as Wheelchair-Accessible recreation structures, sewage treatment plants, Lake—"Friend's Landing" is solid waste disposal systems, water systems, and a wheelchair-accessible lake roads. with fishing docks that is used for recreation, conservation education, and Land Conservation tours. A project of: By encouraging land conservation, RC&D councils Columbia-Pacific RC&D. Aberdeen, Washington improve soil quality, reduce soil erosion, and help keep sediment out of water suppKes. Environmental Enhancement Environmental projects improve natural resources for agricultural and other uses, such as tourism, fish and wildlife habitat, and environmental education. Projects also may promote and Wetland/Pond Filtration Project—Water preserve historical and scenic sites. management projects, such as a canal diversion or a Water Management series of wetlands and RC&D councils work to protect water resources by ponds, are vital forfiltering contaminants before they encouraging wise water use, controlhng flooding, enter local streams. A and improving the quality of local water supplies. project of: Wood River RC&D, Gooding. Idaho Wheels to Work—Interest- Conservation on Wheels free loans to purchase A bus was converted into a vehicles are offered to mobile conservation qualified participants on education classroom and is public assistance whose used forteacher barrier to getting a job is demonstrations and youth transportation. "Wheels to education. A project of: Work" is an opportunity for South Coast RC&D, clients who want to become Riverside. California gainfully employed. A project of: Golden Triangle RC&D, Blakeley, Georgia NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY 1022519838 2000= * NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LIBRARY USDA Celebrating the Millenniu USDA United States Department ofAgriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service! * ProgramAid1638 May2000 TheU.S. DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)prohibitsdiscriminationinallitsprogramsandactivitieson thebasisofrace,color, nationalorigin,sex, religion,age,disability,political beliefs,sexualorientation, ormaritalorfamilystatus.(Notallprohibitedbasesapplytoallprograms.) Personswithdisabilities whorequirealternativemeansforcommunicationofprogram information (Braille,largeprint, audiotape,etc.)shouldcontactUSDA'sTARGETCenterat202-720-2600(voiceandTDD) Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,writeUSDA, Director,OfficeofCivilRights. Room326W,Whitten Building,14thand IndependenceAvenue,SW,Washington, DC20250-9410orcall (202)720-5964 (voiceandTDD). USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer , ^