About RC&D

What is the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Program?

RC&D is a non-biased rural development program, focusing on the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources to improve the standard of living in our area. It joins forces with individuals, agencies, and groups to improve the social, economic, and environmental opportunities of the local area.

The RC&D program was established by federal legislation in 1962. This act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help local units of government conserve and properly utilize natural resources in solving local problems. Local citizens who are aware of the problems or opportunities first hand provide leadership and work together to set program priorities. A variety of individuals, government agencies, organizations, environmental groups, and business institutions provide assistance to these local people in accomplishing their program goals.

The Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development area was organized in 1992 and federally authorized on October 10, 1996.

Across America, nearly 400 RC&Ds bring people together to develop and implement solutions to widespread issues and develop opportunities that help sustain rural communities, local economies, and natural resources. RC&Ds serve over 75% of U.S. counties. About half of all Council members are locally elected officials. RC&Ds activate community support with 30,000 volunteers. For every dollar appropriated by Congress for RC&Ds, Councils have leveraged over $14 million from other sources. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides a full-time coordinator for each RC&D Council as well as other direct support.

What is the Mission of RC&D Councils?

The mission of Southwest Badger RC&D Council is to “Implement natural resource conservation, managed growth, and sustainable rural economic development in Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk and Vernon counties. Overall, the Council works to conserve, develop, and utilize local resources to raise the level of economic activity in the area, while enhancing the environment and the standard of living in the area. RC&D provides an area-wide framework for locally directed action, cooperation, concerns and opportunities which are identified by the people experiencing problems first hand. RC&D operates on the premise that local citizens, with coordinated assistance provided by cooperating sources, can develop and carry out action plans which address problems they themselves have identified. Citizens, groups, organizations, or agencies in the RC&D area can contribute by bringing concerns before the council, proposing measures, and keeping the council aware of community needs.

What are the Goals?

The Southwest Badger RC&D Council developed goals which all of the current projects and programs support. These goals include:

• Protect, conserve, restore and where necessary, improve land, water, and related resources to assure the quality of the natural resource base for future generations.
• Support the development and enhancement of the environment to provide area citizens with an attractive, healthful, and satisfying place to live, work, and play. 
• Support and promote social, economic, and natural resource development to improve the standard of living and provide adequate incomes for all area residents.

One of the main goals of the Southwest Badger RC&D Council is to improve the local economy by wise development and use of local resources. This may be done in many ways including developing wood products industries, promoting tourism, encouraging alternative energy source development, and assisting in marketing local products.

Today, a good deal of attention is paid to projects that encourage investments, develop new industries, expand markets, and create jobs. Just as important in Southwest Wisconsin are projects that maintain the quality of our environment and conserve our precious natural resources. We are blessed with an abundance of clean water in beautiful, clear-flowing streams and ground water reserves.  Projects that maintain the quality of this resource will enable individuals to continue to enjoy this resource. Public awareness of current and potential hazards is an additional benefit that these projects offer. In all cases, the RC&D Council, with direction from local people -- and not the federal or state government -- decides what needs to be done in local communities.

Who Are the Local Sponsors?

Each RC&D area covers several counties and is run by a council or committee representing the sponsoring organizations. The Southwest Badger RC&D area in Southwest Wisconsin encompasses the following nine counties: Crawford, Grant, Green, Iowa, LaCrosse, Lafayette, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon . The county supervisors and the Land Conservation Committees sponsor the Southwest Badger area. The Southwest Badger RC&D area has a council made up of two representatives from each county.

Who Provides Assistance?

RC&D Councils have broad authority to seek help from the sources they feel are best qualified to provide needed assistance. Help may be technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, state agencies, local government, organizations, associations, or private industry. Help may be financial assistance in the form of donations, loans, grants, or cost-sharing programs. The Southwest Badger RC&D Council is incorporated and is classified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The NRCS Coordinator provides assistance to the Southwest Badger RC&D Council and is charged with working to help the Council carry out their mission, goals, and objectives. This work includes planning, proposal writing, facilitating, motivating, and negotiating. In addition, the Council employs an Administrative Coordinator and seven project staff.

Plan of Work

The Southwest Badger RC&D Plan of Work is updated annually. The Plan of Work directs the work and activities of the Council for the next year. To see the Southwest Badger RC&D 2008 Plan of Work click here.

Area Plan

The Area Plan is a long range planning document. The plan covers a five year interval and is reviewed periodically as needed and revised to reflect the changing needs of the Area over time. The Area Plan provides a basis and direction for the Council to serve the area to the best of its ability. The plan is open ended and dynamic, and outlines the tasks the council wants to accomplish. It identifies needs and opportunities, as well as broad and specific objectives to reach each goal. To see the Southwest Badger RC&D 2007-2012 Area Plan click here.

Brochure

Click here to see the Southwest Badger RC&D brochure