Concho Valley Resource Conservation and Development Host Annual Meeting
story by Jaime Tankersley
The Concho Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council welcomed residents from 13 Texas counties to its Annual Sponsors Meeting held January 19, 2011 in Mertzon, Texas.
The Concho Valley RC&D helps local communities gain a general improvement to the economic activity and enhance the overall environment and standard of living. They were organized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accelerate conservation and utilization of natural resources.
The Annual Sponsors Meeting included a council board meeting, a special speaker, and a presentation by Concho Valley RC&D Coordinator Tony Resendez. During the council board meeting, Resendez discussed that the Concho Valley RC&D will be receiving over $8,000 in additional funding. The board elected to use these funds to help in the production and printing of a Concho Valley plant identification book that is being created by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Rangeland Management Specialist George Clendenin.
"The book, Rangeland Plants and Ecology of the Concho Valley, is not just a plant book," Clendenin stated. "It is a book that not only depicts plants of the region but also how those plants can be managed to benefit livestock, wildlife, and a healthy watershed."
The book is set to be released in fall of 2011.
After adjourning from the board meeting, attendees enjoyed a complimentary meal provided by Irion County.
USDA-Rural Development (RD) Area Specialist Randy Verner was first to address the participants with a presentation about "Rural Development". Verner has managed the USDA-RD Ozona office since 2006.
He explained the role of his office and the programs they promote and manage. USDA-RD programs touch on a variety of rural community issues including housing, community facilities, and water/waste and business/industry improvement.
"The goal of working at the local level is to improve the economy and quality of life for rural communities," Verner said.
Resendez gave a presentation that highlighted the impacts over the last year made by RC&D.
"Our goal is to improve the quality of life in the Concho Valley," Resendez said.
"The smallest contribution can have a direct impact in a rural community," he added. "We want to insure that folks have a place to call home."
The RC&D program is administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Non-profit RC&D councils, comprised of local leaders, identify community needs and work with USDA to plan and realize projects in the areas of community development, water and land management and land conservation.
Concho Valley RC&D's next meeting will be held at China Garden in San Angelo, Texas on April 13, 2011. The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. and if you have any questions you can contact the Concho Valley RC&D at 325-597-4666 or visit their office located at 306 W. Lockhart in Brady, Texas.
For more information about Concho Valley RC&D, or to find your local NRCS service center visit http://www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.
Concho Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council elected to use funds to help in the production and printing of a Concho Valley plant identification book that is being created by USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Rangeland Management Specialist George Clendenin.
Randy Verner (left), area specialist with USDA's Rural Development, addressed attendees during the Concho Valley Resource Conservation and Development's Annual Sponsor Meeting held in Mertzon, Texas.
