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A Message from the President
For several decades, the Eastern Connecticut RC&D has been an active contributor to the efforts at protecting and enhancing those things that make our part of the state (and the world) special. Through unique and highly productive partnerships, the RC&D continues to bring together people and organizations ranging from private landowners, conservation groups, all levels of government, nonprofits, and the private sector to work on projects that benefit us all. From the Environmental Review Team to the Land Use Leadership Alliance, from the Hartford Park River Greenway to the Woodstock Agricultural Waste Management studies, we have always looked for ways to assist our citizens and communities. Together with our partners in the state, and our regional and national associations, we look forward to many more years harnessing the passion and the power of partnership.
John P. Guszkowski
About RC&D
What is the RC&D Program?
Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) is a program of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It was created by a provision of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962. The Secretary of Agriculture gave the Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS) [formerly the Soil Conservation Service responsibility for administering the program. RC&D is unique because it is led by local volunteer councils that help people care for and protect their natural resources in a way that improves the local economy, environment, and living standards. RC&D is a way for people to work together to plan and carry out activities that will make their area a better place in which to live.RC&D is based on a number of concepts that make it a truly unique government program. These concepts include:
- The value of public/private partnerships in making the best use of limited resources.
- The value of grassroots involvement in making decisions about local areas.
- Bringing USDA agencies together to focus on the same problems and opportunities.
- Leveraging limited federal dollars with private funds to accomplish goals.
- Working toward the goal of community sustainability.
- Achieving a balance between rural economic development and natural resource protection.
The Secretary of Agriculture authorized the first ten RC&D areas in 1964. Presently, there are 375 authorized areas in the country. Interest in creating the Eastern Connecticut RC&D Area first started after an organizational meeting called by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources on August 22, 1965. Broad support for the RC&D area was evident by the letters of endorsement received from many organizations – both public and private – throughout the proposed RC&D area. An application for assistance was prepared and submitted in June 1967 to the Secretary of Agriculture for planning authorization. This authorization was received in August 1968. In August 1982, the Eastern Connecticut RC&D’s Executive Council completed an application to enlarge the area. In April of 1983, the application was approved by USDA and NRCS.The focus of the Eastern Connecticut RC&D Program is to help people care for and protect their natural resources, improve local economies, and sustain a high quality of life. The program derives its success from its ability to connect individuals, communities, government entities, and grassroots organizations. These connections and partnerships enable the development of shared visions and resource networks that work toward a healthy future for Connecticut.
*Now Available*
Annual Plan of Work for 2010/2011
Area Plan of Work for 2006-2011
Eastern CT RC&D Meetings & Minutes
Project Support Policy |
Next Eastern CT RC&D Council Meeting will be held Monday August 9th,2010 @ 11:00am at SECCOG in Norwich.
*July 7, 2010 - CT Farm Energy Grant Writer * Job Description (PDF)
*News* URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT ON RC&D FUNDING
*Event* 2010 New England RC&D Conference: "Feeding Ourselves, Fueling Ourselves" on October 28-30, 2010 More information to come shortly. Go to www.berkshirepioneerrcd.org for up to date information.
*News* USDA Rural Development RBEG Funding
Eastern CT RC&D has been awarded 2 Rural Business Eneterprise Grants (RBEG) by the USDA - Rural Development. The first grant is for $41,000 to conduct an environmental quality analysis for a slaughterhouse in Stafford Springs, CT. The second grant in the amount of $40,000 was to continue the CT Farm Energy Program which provides outreach and technical assistance to AG producers and AG based small business who are looking to apply to USDA Rural Development's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
The 2009 Eastern CT RC&D Annual Meeting and 40th Anniversary of Eastern CT RC&D and CT ERT Program was well attended on June 22, 2009 at Heritage Trail Vineyard in Lisbon, CT. Go to the Events page to see articles and photos from the Celebration.
Visit the 2008 New England RC&D Association Regional Fall Conference Webpage
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