The purpose of the RC&D program is to encourage and improve the capability of State and local units of government and local nonprofit organizations in rural areas to plan, develop, and carry out programs for RC&D. NRCS also helps coordinate available Federal, State, and local programs.
The 2006 Federal budget proposes to phase out Federal support for local planning councils after 20 years of funding assistance. $25.6 million, a 50 percent reduction from the 2005 level, was requested to continue support for only 186 of the current 375 RC&D areas. A number of Kentucky R C and D's would be directly affected by this cut in funding.
What we need to do:
Below are 5 draft letters. Each adapted to its recipient.
Please do one of the following:
Or
Even better
The most effective:
Which ever you choose the best bang comes from handwritten letters that are individualized. All letters should contain this statement so everyone is asking for the same language in the Agriculture Appropriations bill.
In addition to the text below, here are word documents with suggested text for hand written letters.
"Resource, Conservation and Development Councils play an important role in rural development and natural resource conservation. USDA has indicated that on average it takes $179,250 to fully support a RC&D Council. There are currently 375 existing Councils and 28 pending applications. The Committee provides $72.2 million to fully support all existing Councils and additional applicant areas."
Faxing the letters is very important; the US Mail may take up to 6 weeks to arrive due to scanning for Anthrax. When you fax. Do not use a US government machine. Attach a note on it that a hard copy is being mailed. (Note that the Sec. of Ag. or Chief of NRCS letter may be mailed, faxing isn’t necessary).
FAX numbers
Senator Bunning: (202) 228-1373
Senator McConnell: (202) 224-2499
Congressman Whitfield: (202) 225-3547
For any assistance e-mail kywwp@igc.org
date
The Honorable Jim Bunning
US Senate
316 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Bunning,
I am writing to you to ask that you support increasing USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) account to $72.2 million in the FY06 Agriculture Appropriation bill.
RC&D Councils in Kentucky play an important role in protecting the environment in a way that improves the local economy and living standards. Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, local Councils have leveraged an average of $6 from other sources to support conservation and economic development in our home communities.
Despite the economic expansion that the country has enjoyed, a strong demand for rural economic development still exists. In addition, natural resource conservation continues to be of prime importance in rural America. Councils have been hampered both in their conservation efforts and their efforts to help find jobs for rural America because they are woefully under funded. USDA has only been able to fund offices at 65% of their budgeted level. In fact, due to underfunding, councils no longer have the assistance of a full time coordinator, a fundamental concept of RC&D. In addition, the President’s budget proposes a large cut in the program which will further hamper our efforts to serve our community.
I appreciate your interest in RC&D’s, and hope you can support my request by writing to the Chair and Ranking Members of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and asking them to insert this language into the Agriculture Appropriations bill:
"Resource, Conservation and Development Councils play an important role in rural development and natural resource conservation. USDA has indicated that on average it takes $179,250 to fully support a RC&D Council. There are currently 375 existing Councils and 28 pending applications. The Committee provides $72.2 million to fully support all existing Councils and additional applicant areas."
Sincerely,
date
The Honorable Mitch McConnell
US Senate
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator McConnell,
I am writing to you to ask that you support increasing USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) account to $72.2 million in the FY06 Agriculture Appropriation bill.
RC&D Councils in Kentucky play an important role in protecting the environment in a way that improves the local economy and living standards. Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, local Councils have leveraged an average of $6 from other sources to support conservation and economic development in our home communities.
Despite the economic expansion that the country has enjoyed, a strong demand for rural economic development still exists. In addition, natural resource conservation continues to be of prime importance in rural America. Councils have been hampered both in their conservation efforts and their efforts to help find jobs for rural America because they are woefully under funded. USDA has only been able to fund offices at 65% of their budgeted level. In fact, due to underfunding, councils no longer have the assistance of a full time coordinator, a fundamental concept of RC&D. In addition, the President’s budget proposes a large cut in the program which will further hamper our efforts to serve our community.
I appreciate your interest in RC&D’s, and hope you can support my request by including this language into the Agriculture Appropriations bill:
"Resource, Conservation and Development Councils play an important role in rural development and natural resource conservation. USDA has indicated that on average it takes $179,250 to fully support a RC&D Council. There are currently 375 existing Councils and 28 pending applications. The Committee provides $72.2 million to fully support all existing Councils and additional applicant areas."
Sincerely,
date
The Honorable Ed Whitfield
U.S. House of Representatives
301 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1701
Dear Rep. Whitfield,
I am writing to you to ask that you support increasing USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) account to $72.2 million in the FY06 Agriculture Appropriation bill.
RC&D Councils in Kentucky play an important role in protecting the environment in a way that improves the local economy and living standards. Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, local Councils have leveraged an average of $6 from other sources to support conservation and economic development in our home communities.
Despite the economic expansion that the country has enjoyed, a strong demand for rural economic development still exists. In addition, natural resource conservation continues to be of prime importance in rural America. Councils have been hampered both in their conservation efforts and their efforts to help find jobs for rural America because they are woefully under funded. USDA has only been able to fund offices at 65% of their budgeted level. In fact, due to underfunding, councils no longer have the assistance of a full time coordinator, a fundamental concept of RC&D. In addition, the President’s budget proposes a large cut in the program which will further hamper our efforts to serve our community.
I appreciate your interest in RC&D’s, and hope you can support my request by writing to the Chair and Ranking Members of the Committee on Appropriations asking them to insert this language into the Agriculture Appropriations bill:
"Resource, Conservation and Development Councils play an important role in rural development and natural resource conservation. USDA has indicated that on average it takes $179,250 to fully support a RC&D Council. There are currently 375 existing Councils and 28 pending applications. The Committee provides $72.2 million to fully support all existing Councils and additional applicant areas."
Sincerely,
Date
Secretary Mike Johanns
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave., S.W
Washington, DC 20250.
Dear Secretary Johanns,
I am writing to you to ask that you support USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program.
RC&D Councils in Kentucky play an important role in protecting the environment in a way that improves the local economy and living standards. Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, local Councils have leveraged an average of $6 from other sources to support conservation and economic development in our home communities. This is the most cost-effective program within USDA.
Despite the economic expansion that the country has enjoyed, a strong demand for rural economic development still exists. In addition, natural resource conservation continues to be of prime importance in rural America. Councils have been hampered both in their conservation efforts and their efforts to help find jobs for rural America because they are woefully under funded. USDA has only been able to fund offices at 65% of their budgeted level. In fact, due to underfunding, councils no longer have the assistance of a full time coordinator, a fundamental concept of RC&D. In addition, the President’s budget proposes a large cut in the program which will further hamper our efforts to serve our community.
Please encourage the President to reconsider his proposal to withdraw Federal support of 189 RC&D Councils and to fully fund all of the 378 Councils.
Sincerely,
Your name
Date
Chief Bruce Knight
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resource Conservation Service
1400 Independence Ave., S.W
Washington, DC 20250.
Dear Chief Knight,
I am writing to you to ask that you support USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program.
RC&D Councils in Kentucky play an important role in protecting the environment in a way that improves the local economy and living standards. Congress created this public/private partnership as a way of engaging local leaders to promote their local economy by leveraging limited federal dollars. For every dollar appropriated by Congress, local Councils have leveraged an average of $6 from other sources to support conservation and economic development in our home communities. This is the most cost-effective program within USDA.
Despite the economic expansion that the country has enjoyed, a strong demand for rural economic development still exists. In addition, natural resource conservation continues to be of prime importance in rural America. Councils have been hampered both in their conservation efforts and their efforts to help find jobs for rural America because they are woefully under funded. USDA has only been able to fund offices at 65% of their budgeted level. In fact, due to underfunding, councils no longer have the assistance of a full time coordinator, a fundamental concept of RC&D. In addition, the President’s budget proposes a large cut in the program which will further hamper our efforts to serve our community.
Please encourage the President to reconsider his proposal to withdraw Federal support of 189 RC&D Councils and to fully fund all of the 378 Councils.
Sincerely,
Your name
INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS
FY06 APPROPRIATIONS
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils are the leadership entity associated with RC&D areas. The Councils help plan and carry out activities that increase conservation of natural resources, support economic development and enhance the environment and standard of living in local communities.
RC&D Council members are volunteers and include local, civic, appointed, and elected officials. RC&D Councils are non-profit entities that work in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service through a federal coordinator. 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. RC&D Councils identify and address unmet needs in local communities. Currently, 375 RC&D Councils serve 180 million people in 2,666 counties in all 50 states, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin.
A few of the many RC&D accomplishments:
RC&D Councils successfully leveraged the RC&D appropriation 6 to 1 to directly support conservation and economic development in local communities across the nation.
USDA studies indicate that the national average cost to support an RC&D office is approximately $179,250 per designated area. Currently USDA/NRCS provides direct support of approximately $127,000 per council.
Full support of existing Councils and additional applications pending at USDA would require an allocation of $72.2 million to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s RC&D appropriation in FY 2006.
The National Association of RC&D Councils requests that the following report language be added to the FY06 Agriculture Appropriations Bill:
Resource Conservation and Development Councils through the RC&D program play an important role in rural development and natural resource conservation. USDA has indicated that on national average it takes $179,250 to fully support a RC&D Council. There are currently 375 existing Councils and 28 pending applications. The Committee provides $72.2 million to fully support all existing Councils and the current applicant areas.