fun country rc&d 2009

Fun Country Resource Conservation &

Development (RC&D)Area Association

Helping Communities,

Help Themselves….

Angela WilliamsRC&D Coordinator

What is RC&D?

Over 40 years ago, Congress established a

unique program within the U.S. Department

of Agriculture that empowered rural people to

help themselves.  

What is RC&D?

The USDA focus was to assist local people by

providing tools and technical support to

stabilize and grow their own communities while

protecting and developing natural resources.  

How does RC&D work?

To carry out the RC&D concept, diverse groups of

local volunteers (The RC&D Council) are

brought together in a unique partnership to find

solutions to their problems.

What makes RC&D unique?

The focus on local direction and control

has made RC&D one of the most successful

rural development programs of the

Federal Government.

Oklahoma RC&D Program

o Nine authorized RC&D areas

o Each RC&D area association is a nonprofit organization governed by local citizen

volunteers.

o USDA-NRCS administers the program, providing a

coordinator and administrative support 

Fun Country RC&D

Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Coal, Garvin,

Johnston,

Love, Marshall,

Murray, and

Pontotoc

Counties

Fun Country RC&D Vision

Local people working in partnership to ensure a

healthy environment, prosperous economy,

and an enhanced

rural culture.

Fun Country RC&D Council

o Community Leaders

o Various local, state and federal agencies

o Residents of represented communities

o Other regional planning organizations

Occupational Representation Occupational Representation on RC&D Councilson RC&D Councils

AreaPlan

AnnualPlan ofWork

Projects

Fun Country RC&D Tools

2009 Annual Plan

Fun Country RC&D Goals

Improve and Enhance the

Environmental Quality of our

Area’s Natural Resources

Fun Country RC&D Goals

Enhance and Promote the

Development of Partnerships

with other Organizations

and Units of Government

Fun Country RC&D Goals

Promote Positive Working

Relationships and Leadership Skills

within the Area Associations and

Organizations and Local Communities

Fun Country RC&D Goals

Promote Area Economic

Activities and Development

Opportunities

2008-2009 Projects

Potential Economic Stimulus Projects Potential Economic Stimulus Projects Area ReportArea Report Four Categories For Submission

o Rural Infrastructureo Renewable Energy

o Energy Conservationo Carbon Sequestration

o Climate Change

Total Projects Submitted

$92,833,569 Funds Needed875 Businesses Created or Retained

5,382 Jobs Created or Retained

2008-2009 Projects

Statewide Farm Bill & Economic StimulusStatewide Farm Bill & Economic StimulusPublic ForumsPublic Forums May 13May 13thth, 2009 , 2009 Sulphur Expo CenterSulphur Expo Center Four Concurrent Sessions

COMMODITY and LIVESTOCK programs,

CONSERVATION and FORESTRY programs,

SPECIALTY CROPS and NUTRITION programs

ENERGY and RURAL DEVELOPMENT programs

2008-2009 Projects

Emergency Watershed Program (EWP)Emergency Watershed Program (EWP)

Carter County TornadoCarter County TornadoFinanical Assistance on

Clean-up Activities

75 / 25 % Cost Share with local Sponsors

o Three Site with Local County

Commissioners

o Four Sites with City ofLone Grove

2008-2009 Projects

Regional & Statewide TourismRegional & Statewide TourismActivitiesActivities Arbuckle Country Marketing

Association (ACMA)

OSU PRIDE (Producing Resoureful Informed

Dedicated Employees) Program

Agri-tourism Development with ODAFF

Marketing / Branding Educational Events w/ OSU & Career Tech

2008-2009 Projects

Value-Added Product & Business Value-Added Product & Business Development for Eastern Redcedar Development for Eastern Redcedar

(ERC)(ERC)

ERC ‘Peril to Profit’ Educational Seminar

Murray County ERC Mapping and

Inventory

ERC Mapping and Inventory

2008-2009 Projects

Arbuckle-Simpson AquiferArbuckle-Simpson Aquifer

o Arbuckle Simpson Aquifer Recharge Study

o Chickasaw NRC Resource Protection Group and City of

Sulphur

o Arbuckle Simpson Nature Festival

o CPASA

2008-2009 Projects

Business and Industry CouncilsBusiness and Industry Councils

o Monthly meetings at Mid-America Career

Technology Center

o Quarterly meetings with Southern Oklahoma

Business Industry Council and Southern Oklahoma

Workforce Board

How do you define

‘Community Development’?

Success of Fun Country RC&D Area Association

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where

there is no vision, the people

perish.”

Thank You – Questions? Angela Williams

RC&D Coordinatorangela.williams@ok.usda.gov

Fun Country RC&D105 N. Indian Meridian

Pauls Valley, OK 73075405-238-6544

funcountryrcd@hotmail.com