Solomon Valley RC&D Authorized

"Just fabulous" was Don Heikes’ response a day after receiving the word that the Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman had authorized Solomon Valley Resource Conservation and Development (SVRC&D) area. Heikes, Lenora, is president of SVRC&D Council. The SVRC&D area represents six counties: Norton, Phillips, Smith, Graham, Rooks, and Osborne. The SVRC&D area was formed in 2001.

RC&D areas are locally led by grassroots councils comprised of volunteers, civic leaders and locally elected officials. RC&D projects implemented by the councils provide practical solutions for land and resource conservation, environmental enhancement, water management and community development.

According to Heikes, after the SVRC&D area formed and the Council submitted its application to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Council assisted with projects such as Kansas Health Foundation Community Leadership Initiative 2, Grant Writing Workshops, and W.A.C.K.Y. Day. (W.A.C.K.Y. stands for Wildlife, Agriculture, and Conservation Knowledge for Youth.)

The Community Leadership Initiative brought the availability of leadership development training to the area.

The grant writing workshops provided organizations and individuals a working knowledge of how to research, develop and write grant proposals.

W.A.C.K.Y. Day was an educational field day designed for local sixth graders that attracted 200 students and 28 sponsors the first year.

All of these projects requested some type of assistance, such as planning, organization, development, or financial, from the SVRC&D Council.

"It means a lot to have the Solomon Valley authorized," said Heikes. "It will mean better handling of the projects in our area because we will have a fulltime coordinator to help the Council and that person will bring expertise on how to develop the projects to help the rural communities."

USDA, through the NRCS, provides technical assistance in the form of a coordinator for this program. The coordinator serves as a point of access to USDA programs and services that help the RC&D council address locally identified issues and achieve its objectives.

"We are pleased that Secretary Veneman authorized the Solomon Valley RC&D," said Harold L. Klaege, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Salina. "We look forward to working with the Solomon Valley Council of the newly authorized RC&D in helping their rural communities to improve environmental, social, and economic conditions."

Other USDA agencies also work with designated areas on a wide variety of activities. These agencies include the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; Farm Service Agency; Food and Nutrition Service; Forest Service, and Rural Development.

Kansas now has nine authorized RC&D areas and one RC&D area awaiting authorization by the Secretary of Agriculture. Seventy-four counties are served by RC&D councils.

"It is the goal of the State Association of RC&D (SARC&D) Councils to have the state covered by RC&D areas by 2005," said Peggy Blackman, SARC&D president .

"At this time, Gove, Trego, Ellis, Lane, Ness, and Rush counties are in the process of forming the Smoky Hills RC&D," said Blackman.

RC&D council members, Blackman, NRCS staff, and others around the state are available to present a program about the RC&D Program and to help get an area formed. Blackman can be reached at 620-382-2541. Steve Parkin, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, also can provide information on the RC&D Program and can be reached at 785-823-4568.

Projects currently underway in the 375 RC&D areas throughout the nation include ones that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, create jobs and businesses, protect heritage sites and improve sewage treatment.

For more information about RC&Ds, visit with your local USDA Service Center NRCS or conservation district staff.  Additional information on the RC&D program can be found under Programs; see Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D).

This document requires Acrobat Reader.

Kansas RC&D Areas Map  (PDF; 73 KB) (Text Version)