Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council

Fiscal Year 2007 Annual Plan of Work

July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007

Administered by

Shenandoah Resource Conservation & Development Council

·P.O. Box 60, Verona, VA  24482 ·Phone: (540) 248-3321 ·Fax: (540) 248-5502

A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization serving Virginia in Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham,

Shenandoah, and Warren Counties; and

the cities of Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Staunton, and Winchester

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, (a nonprofit organization), leads implementation of RC&D activities in the Area.  The Council’s mission is to sponsor and promote projects and programs that improve the quality of life and sustainable use of natural resources, primarily in the Shenandoah River Watershed, by providing volunteer leadership, technical resources, and financial assistance.   

The Shenandoah RC&D Council focuses on:

• Promoting managed growth and development, with an emphasis on protection of farm and forestland and open space;
• Promoting a sustainable agricultural sector;
• Promoting the conservation of natural resources, with an emphasis on improvement and protection of water and air quality;
• Promoting community development and diverse rural economies;
• Strengthening Shenandoah RC&D Council operations.

To achieve this mission, the Shenandoah RC&D Council has adopted this Fiscal Year 2007 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 2007 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 July 10, 2006.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Shenandoah RC&D Council Chairwoman                                                         Date

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Shenandoah RC&D Secretary/Treasurer                                                                        Date

U.S.  Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service Concurrence

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

NRCS State Conservationist                                                                              Date

“All programs and assistance of the Shenandoah RC&D Council are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SERVICES                                                                                                                                         p. 4

ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK OVERVIEW                                                                         p. 4

NEW PROJECTS                                                                                                                              p. 4

FISCAL YEAR 2006 WORK PLAN:  PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES SUMMARY                 p. 6

COUNCIL MEETING DATES                                                                                                        p. 10

SERVICES

The Shenandoah RC&D Council provides diverse services in the areas of natural resources and community development.  The Council provides technical assistance to its sponsors and organizations consistent with the Shenandoah RC&D Council Annual and Area Plans.  The Council places 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 Area 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. 

ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK OVERVIEW

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 will be reviewed at least quarterly and updated as projects are completed or otherwise modified in any major way.  Progress documentation will be handled through Council meeting minutes and project updates provided as appropriate at Council meetings.  The annual plan will be adjusted to reflect completed/cancelled/withdrawn projects and major modification of projects.

NEW PROJECTS

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, non-profits, 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.

BUDGET

The budget associated with the Council’s annual plan of work and administrative obligations is a separate document that is approved annually at the same meeting as the Annual Plan of Work.  When separate project proposals are received and approved and grant funds are sought and received, then each project has a separate budget associated with it.

COORDINATOR TIME OBLIGATIONS

A rough estimate of coordinator time obligations to carry out all coordinator duties and responsibilities based on a workload analysis is as follows:  34% of time spent on projects; 34% of time spent on Council duties and administration; 6% of time spent on Virginia Association of RC&D Councils responsibilities; 26% of time spent on NRCS duties.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

Partners organizations to carry out RC&D work include, but are not limited to: AMS: Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA); DCR: (Virginia) Department of Conservation and Recreation; DEQ: (Virginia) Department of Environmental Quality; DMME: (Virginia) Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy; DOE: United States Department of Energy; DOF: (Virginia) Department of Forestry; EPA: Environmental Protection Agency; ECA: Evergreen Capitol Advisors, Inc.; EFC: Environmental Finance Center (University of Maryland); FB: Farm Bureau; FSA: Farm Service Agency (USDA); JMU: James Madison University; NASS: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA); NRCS: Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA); PC: Potomac Conservancy; PWF: Pure Water Forum; RD: Rural Development (USDA); SWCDs: Soil and Water Conservation Districts; USFS: United States Forest Service; Va Tech:  Virginia Tech; VCC: Valley Conservation Council; VCE: Virginia Cooperative Extension (Virginia Tech)

FISCAL YEAR 2007 WORK PLAN:  PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

July 1, 2006