Governor recognizes RC and D efforts in Missouri

Governor Jay Nixon has proclaimed November as Missouri Resource Conservation and Development Awareness Month. In a Nov. 17 ceremony at the governor's office, Nixon recognized the important role that Resource Conservation and Development plays in protecting natural resources and in promoting economic development in rural communities.

"I appreciate all that you do to enhance the economic viability of rural communities and businesses and for taking a lead role in conserving Missouri's land and water resources and expanding alternative energy production opportunities," the governor said.

The RC and D program is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Each multi-county area has an NRCS coordinator who works with a local council to initiate, develop and maintain projects that protect the natural, social and economic resources in their areas.

The RC and D councils work to:

* Enhance the economic viability of rural communities by creating, expanding and retaining jobs.

* Help communities develop strategies to conserve land and water resources while empowering sustainable agricultural production.

* Work with communities and landowners to conserve energy and expand alternative energy production opportunities.

November marked the 45th anniversary of the state's first RC and D area, Top of the Ozarks R and D in south-central Missouri.

"Over the course of 45 years, RC and D has established itself as an important program here in Missouri," said NRCS State Conservationist JR Flores. "It plays an important role because it allows NRCS, working in conjunction with locally led councils, to assist people and communities in ways that might not qualify under our primary Farm Bill programs."

The state now has eight NRCS-designated areas within Missouri, covering 72 of the state's 114 counties, including the 10-county Osage Valley RC and D area. Comprising Bates, Benton, Cass, Camden, Henry, Hickory, Miller, Morgan, St. Clair and Vernon counties, the Osage Valley RC and D area follows the Osage River basin, including Truman Lake and the Lake of the Ozarks. An additional three RC and D areas have been proposed to cover 23 of the remaining counties.

Osage Valley RC and D's current projects include two federally funded watershed grants, which are providing up to 75 percent of the costs of implementing more than $1.1 million in "best management practices" designed to improve the water quality impact of livestock operations, forested and riparian areas, rural septic systems and urban run-off.

The grants fund workshops on topics such as protecting water quality via nutrient management for crop and pasturelands, rotational grazing programs, septic system management, home lawn care practices and more.

More information about upcoming workshops and how to apply for cost-share programs is available at www.osagevalleyrcd.com.

Nixon's proclamation came as the Missouri Association of RC&D Councils prepares for its annual meeting and election, Nov. 29, in Osage Beach, in conjunction with the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' annual training conference.