What is RC&D?
the founding
The Agriculture Act of 1962 established Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) councils to improve and enhance communities across America. The RC&D Program is designed to assist community members with social, economic, and environmental enrichment. We work with local people to create sustainable solutions and enhance the quality of life in council regions coast-to-coast.
RC&D Councils are 501(c)3 non-for-profit corporations. RC&D Councils are not governmental entities, therefore the policies and constraints of local, state, and federal government programs do not limit the types of issues we address or the methods we use to address them. RC&D Councils have the independence to carry out activities and projects that achieve their mission and meet community needs within their respective 5-8 county region.
RC&D Council volunteers are leaders and community stakeholders involved in multiple roles in local government, school boards, churches, and other civic activities. At RC&D Council meetings, members use professional expertise and community connections to determine the needs of their RC&D Council areas, address those needs, and make their communities better places to live, work, and play. Over 25,000 volunteers nationwide serve on local RC&D Councils and work together to ‘fill the gap‘.
![cropped-rcd-mark cropped-rcd-mark](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/cropped-rcd-mark-1-q4cac24fme0joqag73y1ebw1gyczz9gbxqulq285so.png)
1962
1993
1999
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Nick.Williams-edit-scaled.jpg)
2004
2011
2023
“Alabama RC&D’s biggest impact is our ability to fill in the gaps created by unmet needs in our communities.”
Our Story in Numbers
“The RC&D Program finds the unmet needs within communities. We communicate as a sounding board for local citizens, connect with communities, and act as a resource to bring everyone to the table to work together to fill the vacuum or holes within our communities, and we do it in such a distinctive way that it creates sustainability and immense added community value.”
-Noopie Cosby, Alabama RC&D Program Developer
what does resource conservation& development mean for communities?
the leaders of RC&D
RC&D Council leadership promotes and advocates for better communities. They proudly support the mission and values of the RC&D Program while unifying local people.
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/J.O.-Norris-edit-scaled.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Pam-headshot-edit-.jpg)
Mid-South RC&D Executive Director
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Nick.Williams-edit-scaled.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Katie-Conner_edited.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/noopie-cosby-headshot_edited.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/William-Hodge-headshot.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Colton-Buckley-headshot.jpg)
![](https://midsouthrcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Craig-Sizemore_edited.jpg)