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, 14^th 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.