CENTRAL PRAIRIE RC & D

"Improving Our Quality of Life"

 
 

 1916 16th Street, Great Bend, KS 67530  -  620.792.6224  -  FAX 620.793.4126

 

Central Prairie Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Overview 

            The RC&D program is a unique combination of private enterprise and Federal assistance that encourages the blending of natural resource use with local economic and social values.  Program objectives address improving the quality of life that speaks to that blending, including social, economic and environmental concerns.  The program desires the continuing prudent use of natural resources; and strengthening local citizens’ ability to utilize available sources of assistance through Federal and State agencies, and other public and private entities.  The RC&D program provides a form of “facilitated self-help” for conservation and related issues in communities across the Nation.  RC&D’s respond to the needs of their local communities.

            Each RC&D is a multi-jurisdictional, locally defined geographic area designated by the Secretary of Agriculture through a competitive process to receive assistance.  Central Prairie RC&D area is sponsored and directed by a Council consisting of volunteers representing public and private sector sponsors, other local organizations and the local communities in Barton, Edwards, Ellsworth, McPherson, Pawnee, Reno, Rice, and Stafford Counties.  These organizations represent a diverse cross-section of community interests. 

            Basic support is provided by USDA through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  This basic assistance was designed to allow the RC&D Council to focus their efforts on improving their communities through project implementation rather than fundraising for base operations. 

            Nationally, an annual appropriation for direct support to the RC&D program is made by Congress.  This provides the NRCS with funds for each designated Council.  These funds are dispensed directly from NRCS National Headquarters to each state and do not flow through the Council directly.  The funds are used to provide federal RC&D assistance to the Council – a federal coordinator who provides technical assistance and also office space, equipment and administrative and supervisory support for the coordinator when funding allows.  

            Central Prairie RC&D is a nonprofit 501 (C) (3) organization, which is tax exempt under the IRS.  Central Prairie RC&D Council is the controlling local entity for efforts in the region.  Central Prairie RC&D Council programs and operations, as well as the employees, volunteers and the governing body, collectively work to achieve our mission and vision: 

Mission Statement

Central Prairie RC&D will enhance the quality of life in harmony with natural resources.

 

Vision Statement

The Central Prairie RC&D envisions working cooperatively to attain economic viability and
enhance the quality of life realizing economic growth in harmony with natural resources.

 

 

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.