USDA-NRCS Partnership

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The Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Program was developed under the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, (16 U.S.C. 590a-590F), the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, (16 U.S.C. 1010 and 1011), and the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, and is authorized under subtitle H, title XV of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, (16 U.S.C. 3451-3461), as amended. The Food Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 permanently authorized the program.

Congress created this partnership between the federal government and local communities as a way of engaging local leaders to carry out land conservation, community development, land management, and water management projects in accordance with the priorities of area residents.

RC&D areas are locally sponsored areas designated by the Secretary of Agriculture for RC&D technical and financial assistance program funds. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the federal program.

Since 1935, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (originally called the Soil Conservation Service) has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources.

NRCS employees provide technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer's specific needs. The agency provides financial assistance for many conservation activities. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.

For more information about the Natural Resources Conservation Service and its programs in Pennslyvania, please visit http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/index.html