Shenandoah Resource Conservation &
Development Council
Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Plan of Work
July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2005

Administered by
Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.
P.O. Box 60, Verona, VA 24482 · (540) 248-3321 Fax: (540) 248-5502
Forward
The US Secretary of Agriculture designated the Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development Area under the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, as amended. The purpose of the Area is to promote rural development in the Shenandoah River watershed of Virginia.
The Shenandoah RC&D Council, Inc., (a nonprofit organization), leads implementation of RC&D activities in the Area. The Council’s mission is to enhance the quality of public and private decisions and programs in the Shenandoah River watershed as they affect the care and use of natural resources.
The Shenandoah RC&D Council focuses on:
To achieve this mission, the Shenandoah RC&D Council has adopted this Fiscal Year 2005 Annual Plan of Work. This document is designed to be a flexible management tool the Council uses to guide its activities throughout the fiscal year. Benefits of the Annual Plan of Work include:
· Allowing continuity of action from one year to the next.
· Keeping everyone working toward the same goal.
· Informing the sponsors about Shenandoah RC&D Council activities.
· Forming the basis for technical assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in accessing programs and services from USDA and others to achieve the Council’s goals and objectives.
Approval
The Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. hereby adopts the Annual Plan of Work for Fiscal Year 2005 and agrees to effectively use the assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to realize the strategies and goals outlined herein. This action taken at the Council’s regular meeting held on September 13, 2004.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Shenandoah RC&D Council Chair Date
U.S. Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service Concurrence
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
NRCS State Conservationist Date
The Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SERVICES
NEW PROJECTS
FISCAL YEAR 2005 WORK PLAN: PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES SUMMARY
COUNCIL MEETING DATES
MISSION, GOALS, AND OBJECTIVES
SERVICES
APPENDIX
Shenandoah RC&D Council
Shenandoah RC&D Program
Initial Project Proposal
Key Strategies for Successful Grant/Project Management
SERVICES
The Shenandoah RC&D Council provides diverse services in the areas of natural resources and community development. We provide technical assistance to our sponsors and organizations consistent with the Shenandoah RC&D Council annual and strategic plans. We place a high priority on projects and issues that affect large portions of the Area. The Council and its Committees undertake projects consistent with the annual and strategic plans. Sponsors and other organizations desiring assistance may make a request in writing to the Council. All sources of technical and financial assistance are explored. RC&D does not address projects that can best be addressed by others or where collaboration is not needed or possible.
The Annual Plan of Work is an annual action plan focusing and directing the activities of the Shenandoah RC&D Council. Planning builds a framework leading to the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.
Some benefits of an annual plan:
· Defines the actions needed to meet established goals and objectives in a defined time frame within the organization’s capacity for implementation.
· Communicates those actions to the organization’s constituents.
· Ensures the most effective use is made of the organization’s resources by focusing the resources on important priorities.
· Provides a base from which progress can be measured and establish a mechanism for informed change when needed.
The Annual Plan of Work is an adaptable document with modifications made throughout the year as opportunities arise or shift. New projects may be added to the Annual Plan of Work as needed. Project proposals may be submitted to the Council for its consideration throughout the year. They may be submitted by individuals, local governments, and other organizations that are focused on the social, economic and environmental well-being of the Shenandoah Valley. The project proposal is assigned by the Council to the appropriate RC&D Committee for evaluation and recommendation to the Council. Proposed projects need to meet two criteria. First, the project must be compatible with the Shenandoah RC&D Council’s goals and objectives. Second, the project needs to have a project leader and other citizens ready to make the project happen. Without grassroots citizen participation and leadership, the project will not succeed.
FISCAL YEAR 2005 WORK PLAN: PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES SUMMARY
July 1, 2004
|
Project # |
Project/Activity |
Status |
Responsible Person |
Purpose |
Major Funder(s) |
Estimated Project Cost |
|
04-4 |
Shenandoah Watershed Restoration and Outreach Project |
Completed (Sept. 13, 2004) |
Whitescarver |
Water Quality/Quantity |
Chesapeake Bay Foundation; National Fish & Wildlife Foundation |
$40,000 |
|
04-2 |
Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Matching Funds for Federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), Promote local PDR Programs, and Help Localities Secure Funding for PDRs |
In progress |
Holm/Eckman/Stoffel/Whitescarver |
Farmland and Open Space Preservation |
Commonwealth of VA; USDA-NRCS; private foundations |
$1 million |
|
04-1 |
Increase Tree City USA participation by Valley communities |
In progress |
Comanor/Holm |
Economic Vitality; Water Quality |
Technical assistance |
|
|
04-3 |
Study Feasibility for bringing Soybean Crusher/Biodiesel Refinery to Valley |
Changing focus of project |
Nichols/Holm/Clark |
Rural Economic Vitality |
In progress as project focus changes |
$35,000 for feasibility study, additional funds as needed |
|
05-1 |
Study: Potential for Marketing Shenandoah Valley Poultry Litter as Fertilizer |
In progress |
Bauhan/Holm |
Nutrient Management |
VA Poultry Federation, SWCDs, VA Tech |
|
|
05-2 |
Waste Solutions Forum – Phase I |
In progress |
Gardner/Holm/Bauhan |
Nutrient Management |
CPI?, Agua Fund? VA Tech, CBF, ED, and other partners |
|
|
|
Project and Activity Proposals Under Consideration for Fiscal Year 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Activity |
Outreach—Conduct media campaign to help inform community on positive aspects of waste mgmt. |
|
Nutrient Mgmt Cmt/Holm |
Nutrient Management |
N/A |
|
|
Activity |
Outreach/Relationship Building – To local SWCD, local governments, member organizations & others, to enhance awareness of and forge working relationships with RC&D through meetings and letters |
|
Council/Holm |
Capacity Building |
N/A |
|
|
|
Biofuels Forum: Explore Bringing Biofuels Forum to RC&D region, tie-in with 2002 Farm Bill |
|
E&I Committee/Nichols/Soybean Group/Holm |
Education and Information/Rural Vitality |
USDA/EPA Tides Foundation |
|
|
Activity |
Design and Set Up Shenandoah RC&D Website |
|
E&I Committee/ secretary/Holm |
Capacity Building |
Tides Foundation |
|
|
Activity |
Develop an Audiovisual Presentation and Informational Materials about Shenandoah RC&D and its role for Council and Committee use. |
|
E&I Committee |
Capacity Building |
N/A |
|
|
|
Local Government Officials PDR Training/How to Fund Local PDR Programs |
|
Farmland, OS, Community Dev. Com/Holm |
Farmland/Open Space Preservation; Education |
Agua Fund? |
|
|
Activity |
Cooperative taking Over Pilgrim’s Pride: Offer Assistance as Needed |
|
Rural Econ. Vitality Com/Holm |
Rural Economic Vitality; Farmland Preservation |
Agua Fund? and others |
|
|
Activity |
Office Policy and Procedures, set up basic office systems and procedures, including create forms as needed, training on Quick Books, reimbursements, etc. |
|
Council/Holm/ secretary |
Capacity Building |
Tides Foundation
|
|
|
Activity |
Council Policy and Procedures, including By-law review, budgeting, leadership transition, committee work, proposal solicitation, etc. |
|
Council/Holm |
Capacity Building |
Tides Foundation |
|
|
|
Consult with local governments regarding potential assistance needed with septic systems related to TMDL implementation and water quality issues. |
|
Water Quality Committee/Council/Holm |
Water Quality |
|
|
|
Activity |
Examine natural resource policy issues on local, state and national levels and determine appropriate Council involvement |
|
Committees/Council/Holm |
Capacity Building/Project support |
|
|
|
Activity |
Request SWCDs advice on how RC&D can assist farmers and the district with finding additional opportunities to put in BMPs |
|
Committees |
Water Quality/Quantity |
|
|
|
Activity |
Identify up to three locally led watershed groups and foster their efforts; assist with identified projects |
|
Water Mgmt Committee/ Council/Holm |
Water Quality/Quantity |
|
|
|
Activity |
Create a Directors notebook that provides information/materials for Council and associate members; outlines participation in Council activities and additional opportunities.
|
|
RC&D secretary/Holm/Comanor |
Capacity Building |
Tides Foundation |
|
|
|
Adult, College, and Secondary Education in the Shenandoah River Basin in the 2010-2020 Decade |
|
Schertz/Lawrence |
Education &Information |
|
|
|
|
Shenandoah River Basin Natural Resource Information Consortium |
|
Schertz/Lawrence |
Education & Information |
|
|
Monday, September 13, 2004
Monday, November 8, 2004
Monday, January 10, 2005
Monday, March 14, 2005
Monday, May 9, 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc.
Mission, Goals, and Objectives and Potential Related Activities
Mission: to enhance the quality of public and private decisions and programs in the Shenandoah Valley as they affect the care and use of natural resources.
Goal A: Plan for the wise use of natural resources to improve their quality and value.
· Objective 01. Provide assistance to the NRCS and Conservation Districts in the implementation of locally led conservation.
· Objective 02. Work with local agricultural groups to protect and improve agricultural lands and assure a strong agricultural sector in the state.
· Objective 03. Seek ways to improve local, state, and federal planning activities and promote sound land use decisions.
· Objective 04. Improve forestry productivity and income potential through better forestry management.
· Objective 05. Work with local governments and groups to reduce flooding, stop water pollution, reduce soil erosion, and improve water quality.
· Objective 06. Increase the awareness of the importance of proper lawn management techniques for suburban and urban homeowners.
· Objective 07. Promote Civil Rights Outreach activities as they relate to agriculture and natural resources management.
· Objective 08. Promote conservation partnership activities through conservation tours, workshops, conferences, etc.
Goal B: Strengthen the overall operations of the Shenandoah RC&D Council
· Objective 01. Update the Council’s strategic plan
č Manage finances and resources to ensure the sustainability of the Shenandoah RC&D Council.
č Develop a fund raising plan and be accountable to funders.
č Ensure current sources of revenue are stable.
č Develop and approve the annual budget.
č Monitor budget implementation.
č Ensure adequate financial controls.
č Conduct an annual audit by a CPA with nonprofit experience.
č Annually submit 990 to the IRS.
č Assess need for liability and directors and officers insurance.
č Establish and update policies to facilitate Council operations.
č Monitor operations.
č Install and use Quickbooks to monitor project status and expenditures.
č Strengthen programs and services.
č Ensure legal and ethical integrity.
· Objective 02. Conduct outreach to local governments, organizations, and individuals to establish the presence of the Shenandoah RC&D and inform others of the Council’s role and services available.
· Objective 03. Provide materials for Council members and associate members in a Director’s notebook that outlines participation in Council activities and additional opportunities.
· Objective 04. Design and implement Shenandoah RC&D Council’s website.
· Objective 05. Submit nominations for regional and national RC&D awards as appropriate.
· Objective 06. Seek ways to improve and strengthen the RC&D program
Goal C: Optimize nutrient management and utilization in the Valley
· Objective 01. Develop a poultry litter collection and redistribution program.
A. Foster awareness of bio-security issues as they relate to litter collection, redistribution and disposal; assist in preparedness for large-scale food/animal disease outbreaks.
č Explore issues related to composting and incinerating dead animals, including on-farm systems.
č Explore public/private on-time litter transport business with Poultry Federation and other partners
· Objective 02. Optimize nutrient recycling in the Valley and throughout Virginia where possible with animal and other organic wastes to improve soil quality.
č Conduct a media/informational campaign to help inform the community on the positive aspects of what is being done with waste management in the Valley – what environmental benchmarks are being met?
č Help make SWCD and Extension more aware of what Shenandoah RC&D does and ensure SWCD directors inform Shenandoah RC&D Council of issues and opportunities.
č Solicit projects that promote soil quality since production agriculture is losing soil carbon at a rate greater than it is being replenished.
č Ensure the need to improve soil quality is considered in projects since it ties in with water use efficiency in crop production.
č Monitor the state of agriculture in the Valley.
č Develop education and information programs on environmental issues related to nutrient management.
č Foster applications for projects that deal with recycling organic wastes.
· Objective 03. Explore emerging options related to nutrient management and disposal including waste to energy options.
č Consider bio-solids issues.
č Determine what support Shenandoah RC&D can offer to the Waste to Energy Consortium group.
Goal D: Conserve open space, forestland and farmland in the Valley; assist with community development
· Objective 01. Begin a farmland preservation program.
č Provide issue/policy briefs for local governments regarding open space conservation.
č Define and/or describe what is meant by ‘open space’ in the context of the committee’s work.
· Objective 02: Develop education programs to assist farmers with finding alternatives to retirement and health care decisions besides selling land for development.
č Establish working relationships across the whole area.
· Objective 03: Encourage counties to develop Purchase of Development Rights Programs.
č Offer key local governments training in PDR programs, especially funding options.
č Establish relationships with local governments.
č Straddle the line between advocacy and education.
· Objective 04: Look for ways to conserve and improve forestland, woodlots on farms, and reduce farm and forest fragmentation.
· Objective 05: Encourage planning, zoning, and low impact development concepts that minimize sprawl and protect working rural lands.
Goal E: Encourage diverse and healthy rural economies
· Objective 01. Develop value-added marketing strategies for local products.
· Objective 02. Enhance local business economic development.
č Continue meeting with soybean crusher/biodiesel production plant study group and offer assistance when appropriate.
č Offer assistance to the Pilgrim’s Pride poultry cooperative.
č Meet with key city and county representatives to let them know about RC&D.
č Send a letter to each locality introducing RC&D to the city manager, etc., to let them know we’re open for business.
Goal F: Improve water management in the Valley
· Objective 01. Protect and improve surface and ground water resources to ensure its quality and quantity for drinking, agricultural, industrial, household and recreational purposes.
č Contact as many policy makers as possible about the importance of their attendance or representation at meetings pertaining to water quality/quantity issues in the Shenandoah basin.
č Encourage policy makers to support initiatives at the state level for funding concepts that involve all citizens to contribute to educational and clean-up efforts, i.e., Maryland “flush tax” or Pennsylvania bond issue.
č Work with Nutrient Management Committee on animal waste issues that affect water quality.
č Request districts to advise how RC&D can assist farmers and the district with finding additional opportunities to put in BMP’s.
č Identify up to three locally led watershed groups and foster their efforts, assist with identified projects.
č The committee should be proactive and volunteer some time to educate policy makers about the need for setting pollution reduction goals and developing strategies to use water resources in a responsible manner.
· Objective 02. Support the Shenandoah Valley Regional Water Resources Policy Committee in implementing its goals for water supply sustainability and water quality.
Goal G: Provide information and education and assist with homeland security efforts
· Objective 01. Enhance the quality of public and private policy decisions in the Shenandoah River Valley, particularly with respect to how these decisions affect the care, use, and security of natural resources.
č Explore biofuels forum idea with other partners to lay the groundwork for potential interest in and support for soybean crusher in the Valley and disseminate information about 2002 Farm Bill and what it can offer rural communities related to funding for alternative energy and other projects.
č Find Homeland Security $$ sources related to natural resources.
č Pose the question of homeland security to our committees – what is needed? What are other RC&D doing with homeland security projects/funding?
· Objective 02. Help facilitate coordination between the RC&D Council, organizations, and local governments and ensure awareness of the RC&D role; communicate regularly wiwth RC&D members and associate members.
č Consider offering education about one issue that affects the RC&D region at each Council meeting, sponsored by a committee.
č Inform the Council about particular subject areas that affects RC&D work.
č Establish criteria for review of proposals.
č Help identify, clarify and define what RC&D strengths and assistance capacity is, what RC&D has to offer, and communicate that more clearly.
č Prepare a short PowerPoint presentation on RC&D.
č Help develop a website.
č Enhance media and public awareness of Shenandoah RC&D.
č Reach out to each member organization, NGO’s, and stakeholder groups, and get them to talk to their local governments about RC&D
APPENDICES:
Shenandoah RC&D Council
Shenandoah RC&D Program
Initial Project Proposal Sheet
Key Strategies for Successful Grant/Project Management
SHENANDOAH Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, Inc.
Dedicated to Creating Healthy, Vibrant Communities in Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren Counties, and the Cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester
How Does the RC&D Work?
The Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program is an exciting partnership between the federal government and a local nonprofit organization led by local community leaders. To help you understand how RC&D works in this partnership, the following information explains the RC&D program, the RC&D area, the RC&D Council, and the relationships and responsibilities of each.
The Whole Picture
RC&D started back in the 1960’s to address rural poverty and help rural communities generate sustainable natural resource-based economies. Although today, many RC&D areas are not rural and are not poor, the need for the RC&D program is just as strong as ever. RC&D is not the same-old, same-old – RC&D is collaborative, multi-level, action-oriented, and inclusive. Sometimes, “RC&D” is difficult to explain and quantify. However, the RC&D approach is to engage local people and organizations to collaboratively solve community problems through a series of locally-driven projects completed in RC&D areas across the country.
The RC&D Program
RC&D is a nation-wide U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The purpose of the RC&D program is to accelerate the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas. Current program objectives focus on improving the quality of life achieved through natural resources conservation and community development. This leads to sustainable communities, prudent use (development), and managing and conserving natural resources.
The RC&D Area
RC&D areas are locally-sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance. In the Shenandoah RC&D Area there were several founding members that worked on the RC&D application, which was approved by the Secretary of Agriculture in 2003. The Shenandoah RC&D Area includes the following counties: Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren, and Clarke, and the cities of: Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester.
The RC&D Coordinator
Once the RC&D area has been designated by the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA provides a staff person to assist the Council in carrying out its objectives and goals by providing guidance, advice, and technical assistance. In general, the RC&D Coordinator is a facilitator, advisor, and coach to the RC&D Council and local groups and citizens who want to be involved in RC&D projects. In addition to the Federal RC&D Coordinator, USDA also provides office space and appropriate basic support for program administration.
The RC&D Council
The RC&D Council is the heart of the RC&D concept. The Council is a membership-based nonprofit entity that is established and run by volunteers to carry out the mission of the RC&D. The Council is composed of members that are key community leaders in land conservation, water management, environmental enhancement, and community development. They are a steering committee and action team to implement the “Area Plan,” a community-driven strategic long-range plan to improve the quality of life in the communities in the RC&D Area.
The RC&D Council members need to be action-oriented volunteers and leaders that help the Council address needs in the community through good planning and project implementation. In this “make it happen” style, the Council also periodically evaluates its progress on the Area Plan and gathers input from the community. The Council members represent all the counties of the RC&D area. This larger membership body formally meets numerous times throughout the year and elects the Board of Directors.
The RC&D Council’s Board of Directors
The Board of Directors manage the affairs of the RC&D Council as an incorporated 501(c)(3). The Board formally approves the Area Plan, mission, policies, budget, and projects. Board members have legal and fiduciary responsibilities including: Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, and Duty of Obedience. Essentially, the Board of Directors ensures that the organization is well-managed and running properly in order to obtain the objectives of the RC&D Council.
So, That’s RC&D 101
It’s the community-driven collaboration and communication that goes on between all these pieces of RC&D that make it work. From Washington, DC, down to a couple people brainstorming over ice tea, the RC&D network is a powerful way to help people change their communities for the better. Get involved with your local RC&D and help make things happen! Contact: Kathy Holm, Shenandoah RC&D Coordinator, (540) 248-3321; kathy.holm@va.usda.gov; P.O. Box 60, Verona, VA 24482. Fax: (540) 248-5502.
“The Shenandoah RC&D Council and the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice of TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Shenandoah RC&D Program
The Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program is an exciting partnership between the federal government and a local nonprofit organization led by local citizens and community leaders. Natural resource goals and objectives are locally determined and those goals and objectives are realized by implementing specific projects approved by the Shenandoah RC&D Council.
The Shenandoah RC&D Area includes the following: the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren; and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester. This region is very diverse and so are its resource concerns. Natural resources provide the base for the region’s agriculture and forestry economies, for recreation, tourism, and residents’ quality of life. The Shenandoah RC&D region is experiencing tremendous growth and development pressures, while at the same time housing the state’s top agricultural producing counties. There are major issues facing residents and affecting natural resources, such as the proposed widening of I-81, sprawl development fragmenting farm and forestland, poultry litter management, and a host of water quality and quantity concerns.
RC&D is a locally directed program that promotes economic growth and environmental quality. RC&D programs can have an important impact on resource issues by bringing together individual efforts to address larger regional concerns; it helps build local capacity. The Shenandoah RC&D Council sets area goals and objectives, and brings together partners, technical assistance and financial resources to complete projects that will meet its goals and objectives.
The Shenandoah RC&D Council welcomes proposals from project partners in five key areas that it has identified as area priorities. Because the following issues and project areas are larger than any single Soil and Water Conservation District, county, or city in the Valley, and because we share concerns regarding these issues, a regional approach to projects with local leadership and partners can accelerate results.
The main goals and objectives of the Shenandoah RC&D Council are:
Goal #1: Optimize nutrient management and utilization in the Valley
Objective #1: Develop a poultry litter collection and redistribution program.
A. Foster awareness of bio-security issues as they relate to litter collection, redistribution and disposal; assist in preparedness for large-scale food/animal disease outbreaks.
Objective #2: Optimize nutrient recycling in the Valley and throughout Virginia where possible with animal and other organic wastes to improve soil quality.
Objective #3: Explore emerging options related to nutrient management and disposal, including waste to energy options.
Goal #2: Conserve open spaces, forestland, and farmland in the Valley; assist with community development
Objective #1: Begin a farmland preservation program.
Objective #2: Develop education programs to assist farmers with finding alternatives to retirement and health care decisions besides selling land for development.
Objective #3: Encourage counties to develop Purchase of Development Rights Programs.
Objective #4: Look for ways to conserve and improve forestland, woodlots on farms, and reduce farm and forest fragmentation.
Objective #5: Encourage planning, zoning, and low impact development concepts that minimize sprawl and protect working rural lands.
Goal #3: Encourage diverse and healthy rural economies
Objective #1: Develop value-added marketing strategies for local products.
Objective #2: Enhance local business economic development.
Goal #4: Improve water management in the Valley
Objective #1: Protect and improve surface and ground water resources to ensure their quality and quantity for drinking, industrial, household and recreational purposes.
Objective #2: Support the Shenandoah Valley Regional Water Resources Policy Committee in implementing its goals for water supply sustainability and water quality.
Goal #5: Provide information and education and assist with homeland security efforts
Objective #1: Enhance the quality of public and private policy decisions in the Shenandoah River Valley, particularly with respect to how these decisions affect the care, use, and security of natural resources.
Objective #2: Help facilitate coordination between the RC&D Council, organizations and local governments and ensure awareness of the RC&D role; communicate regularly with RC&D members and associate members.
In order to address these objectives and goals, the Shenandoah RC&D will work with partners on particular projects to take action on these issues. How does that work?
A partner submits a brief pre-proposal form for project consideration from the RC&D Council. The partner should have clearly thought through the project including such items as a timeline for completion, project team, project manager, how it meshes with RC&D goals and objectives, estimated cost, what assistance the partner expects from RC&D and other partners, and project outcomes.
The Shenandoah RC&D Council assigns the project proposal to the appropriate committee for review and then provides a recommendation to the Council to accept, modify, or reject the proposal. The Council is not bound by the committee’s recommendation. If the proposal is accepted, it is added to the annual work plan.
With every proposal, the Council must consider what the Shenandoah RC&D can bring to a project and the extent of involvement by various partners. The Council is not seeking to duplicate efforts made by other organizations in the RC&D Council area, but to enhance regional efforts to help address critical issues.
The Shenandoah RC&D is off to an exciting start since the Secretary of Agriculture approved its application and provided funds to establish an office and hire staff. Over the next two-three years the Council will be drafting a plan based on local input to address resource needs. We need volunteers to come forward to identify important local and regional issues and concerns and put forward projects to address those concerns.
If you are interested in attending Council meetings, serving on a committee, putting forward a project proposal, or want more information, please contact: Kathy Holm, Shenandoah RC&D Coordinator, Phone: (540) 248-3321, Fax: (540) 248-5502.
E-mail: kathy.holm@va.usda.gov Address: P.O. Box 60, Verona, VA 24482
Shenandoah RC&D Sponsors include: Headwaters SWCD, Lord Fairfax SWCD, Shenandoah Valley SWCD, Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, Shenandoah Valley Pure Water Forum, Valley Conservation Council, and the Farm Bureau Federation. Associate Sponsors include: Board of Supervisors from Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties; the Town of Luray; the Cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Winchester; the Virginia Poultry Federation; Virginia Dairyman Association; The Potomac Watershed Partnership, and the Potomac Conservancy.
“The Shenandoah RC&D Council and the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Shenandoah RC&D Area
Initial Project Proposal
Project name_____________________________________ Date submitted ___________________________________
Project description (purpose, problems, opportunities, etc.) __________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project goal(s) _____________________________________________________________________________________
Project objective(s) __________________________________________________________________________________
Specific activities to be undertaken to meet goals/objectives _________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Proposed timeline for completion ______________________________________________________________________
Estimated Cost $_____________________
Proposed funding (include any cash or in-kind matches pledged or anticipated from co-sponsors) __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project location and/or impact area (city(ies), county(ies)?) __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project team/co-sponsor(s). If a project team or steering committee has been organized, describe the roles, responsibilities, and activities of the group. ____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Project manager/contact______________________________________________________________________________
Address/Phone/E-mail _______________________________________________________________________________
Outcomes expected (describe in relative terms, not absolute dollars) ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
How does the project fit with RC&D objectives and goals? __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe assistance needed (technical, financial, both, or other) along with specific level of assistance requested from the RC&D including anticipated roles of the Council, Coordinator and Committees. (Note: Financial assistance may not be available for projects.) ___________________________________________________
Present status of project (what has/is being done) _____________________________________________
Internal tracking:
Committee project proposal assigned to: _________________________________________________________
Council actions:
Date received by Council for feasibility investigation: ________________________________________
Date assigned to committee: ____________________________________________________________
Action(s) recommended by committee (accept/modify/reject). Notes: ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Action taken by Council after committee review: ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Date project manager contacted about Council’s action: ______________________________________
Date accepted by Council for addition to Annual Work Plan: __________________________________
Council Project Lead: ________________________________________________________________
Council members who will assist with project: ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Date project completed: ________________________________________________________________
____________________
Signature of RC&D Council Chair Date
Key Strategies for Successful Grant/Project Management
Suggested Guidelines
Grant Proposal Writing: The Shenandoah RC&D Council writes funding proposals to government agencies, foundations, and corporations on behalf of sponsors and other organizations when consistent with the Shenandoah RC&D Council annual and strategic plans. To convince others your idea has merit and is worthy of other support, the initiator needs a brief project pre-proposal describing the project idea. The initiator seeks support for the idea from the appropriate RC&D Committee and Council.
The purpose of the proposal development is to convince a funder that a project is worthy of support. A proposal brings together the need for the project, a sound rational for a particular approach to solving the problem, the organization’s capability to implement the project, and a justification for the project’s budget. Many projects fail because most want to begin by preparing a proposal to receive grant funds rather than planning the project.
For project success, The Shenandoah RC&D needs co-sponsors’ assistance with:
1. Clear, well-written goals, project methods, and project implementation plans.
2. Maintaining continual contact with the funder(s) and providing regular progress reports.
3. Creating and maintaining good records and an effective project information system (for tracking allocations, expenditures, project activities).
4. Routinely asking questions regarding funder rules and policies and how they apply to the project.
5. Effectively monitoring and evaluating the project on an ongoing basis.
6. Developing an effective organizational structure for the project and clearly defining roles and responsibilities of all involved with the project.
7. Developing a strong project steering/oversight committee and working regularly with this group.
8. Maintaining continual contact with staff, consultants and sub grantees; providing needed training and regularly monitoring their activities.
9. Encouraging local and regional involvement and actively participating in meetings benefiting the project.
10. Maintaining effective coordination among all parties involved with the project.
11. Allowing adequate time for grant administration activities.
12. If projects must continue beyond the funding period, actively develop ideas for future project support.
The Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. prohibits discrimination in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.