Vilsack Proclaims NARC&DC 50th Anniversary

By CnAgri2012-09-28 19:30:52 Print

The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC) begins its kickoff of the 50th anniversary celebration of service to America with a proclamation by USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack. Secretary Vilsack's proclamation commences a year-long series of events highlighting the contributions of hundreds of volunteer-run RC&D Councils across the United States. The full Proclamation can be found at the NARC&DC's website at www.narcdc.org under "NARC&DC Happenings."

The unique nature of these volunteer-operated, RC&D Councils is their ability to identify potential challenges in their localities and create solutions that are tailored to those communities and their local needs. For 50 years RC&D Councils have quietly, and successfully, partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, its Natural Resources Conservation Service, other Federal and State agencies, local organizations, corporations and citizens to better the lives of often underserved citizens in rural America. Secretary Vilsack's proclamation will celebrate this continuing service.

The RC&D movement was first envisioned during the Administration of President John F. Kennedy through the leadership of then Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman. The goal of the program is to assist localities conserve natural resources while enhancing the social and economic well-being of rural communities through volunteer-driven RC&D Councils. In the half-century since the program's creation, this movement has grown to include more than 20,000 volunteers who serve 2,693 counties in all 50 states -- including Nebraska -- the Caribbean and the Pacific Basin.