Ohio Valley RC&D

Coordinator: John Kellis
Address: 12681 US Route 62
Sardinia, OH 45171
Tel.: (937) 695-1293
FAX: (937) 695-1296
 

Click a County for a list of Executive Council Members.

Counties:
Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson,
Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton

The Ohio Valley RC&D Area

Located in South-central Ohio, the Ohio Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council area includes Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton Counties. This Rural area of Southern Ohio is starting to see significant growth pressure, particularly from the Cincinnati Region to its West. Economic development of the region is vital and the RC&D has developed several tools with which to assist in these areas including a revolving Loan Fund prioritized for natural resource related businesses. As this residential growth continues to be an increasing land-use issue, the protection of its farmland, open space, and other important natural resources will be of increasing importance. Maintaining the agricultural vitality and environmental quality of the region is a major focus of the RC&D Council. Assisting area citizen groups and non-profit organizations in their efforts to carry out the identified needs of their communities is also a top priority to the Council.

Our Mission:
To assist local communities to care for and protect their natural resources in a way that will improve the area’s economy and environment.

Our Vision:
We envision our Council as a leader in the coordination of natural resource based projects, that improve our local communities economic and environmental standards

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About the Ohio Valley RC&D Council

The Ohio Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council is a South-Central Ohio nonprofit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization in June of 1977. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts and County Commissioners from each of the ten participating counties are the primary sponsors of the Council. The RC&D was formed in 1974, and in February 1975 the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture announced funding for a full-time Coordinator and the establishment of a permanent office for the Ohio Valley RC&D. The Council’s office is located in the Appalachian Gateway Center located at the South Campus of the Southern State Community College with John Kellis of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service serving as RC&D coordinator. The Council holds five business meetings annually, and holds five additional executive committee meetings to facilitate the Council’s business and to manage adopted projects.

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Ohio Valley RC&D Project Activity

Some examples of Project activity include (click photo for larger image):

	Watershed Management Projects: Ohio Valley RC&D has provided grant writing, organizational assistance, and fiscal management and technical assistance to many watershed projects throughout Southern Ohio. Projects have included White Oak Creek in Brown and Highland Counties, Paint Creek, Rocky Fork Creek, Adams county health department grant and Symmes Creek. Abandoned Mine watershed projects include Raccoon Creek, Flint Run and Lake Milton projects.
	Revolving Loan Program: Ohio Valley RC&D manages an active revolving Loan Program developed to assist start up and expansion of the area’s small natural resource-based businesses. The Program has worked closely with USDA Rural Development to make these low interest loans available. Business start ups and expansions include timber exports, secondary wood products, fruit growers, a vegetable co-op, wildlife feeds, firewood packaging, landscaping and tree care.
	Strategic Planning and Organizational Assistance: Ohio Valley RC&D helps non-profit organizations, citizen groups and units of government to better organize themselves and the projects they are undertaking. That can be project development, strategic planning, or developing by-laws, articles of incorporation and 501(c) 3 applications. Fundraising, grant writing and technical assistance are among the services provided.
	Promotion of Rural Fire Protection and the Development of County-wide Dry Hydrant Programs: Ohio Valley RC&D has promoted the adoption of non-pressurized fire hydrants for use in rural areas that don’t have access to adequate water supplies for fire protection. The RC&D helps organize fire districts and townships in the various counties, provides cost assistance to landowners installing dry hydrants. A USFS grant through the RC&Ds in Ohio, up to $1,000 is available for installation of hydrants around the State.
	Rural Development, Heritage Tourism and Community Improvement: Ohio Valley RC&D works with regional organizations to promote business activity and development in Southern Ohio. The Council is the prime sponsor of an effort to bring a “Share Your Heritage Workshop” to Southern Ohio. If successful, conference sponsors will invite 30 community leaders to a two-day workshop aimed at developing a plan of work to improve business and tourism efforts in the region. The theme of our application is “Realizing the Dream of the Appalachian Highway”. Other partners include The Ohio Arts Council, OSU, Ohio University (Ilgard), The Foundation for Appalachia Ohio, The Governor’s Office of Appalachia, and others.

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RC&Ds Succeed Because of a Strong Volunteer Base

The all-volunteer Ohio Valley RC&D Council is responsible for directing the program at the local level. The Council membership consists of county commissioners (or their appointed representatives), Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, and private citizens representing local organizations and interests. The dedication of these volunteers is the key to Ohio Valley RC&D’s success. The Council's responsibilities are:

1. To provide opportunities for public input concerning RC&D goals and objectives
2. To develop an Area Plan and work to accomplish identified priorities
3. To form resource teams and committees to accomplish needed work
4. To direct the activities of local, state, and federal personnel involved in RC&D projects
5. To oversee administration of RC&D operations
6. To provide citizens with information about RC&D projects

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USDA's Resource Conservation & Development Program

In 1962, Congress passed the Food and Agricultural Act authorizing the Resource Conservation and Development program. The purpose of the program is to expand opportunities for conservation districts, county governments and individuals to improve their communities in multi-county areas through the formation of regional non-profit organizations. For every dollar appropriated by U.S. Congress, RC&D councils across the Nation leverage fourteen additional dollars from other sources for local guided projects. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service facilitates activities and provides technical assistance to RC&D councils across the nation.

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Leadership

Chairman- Doug Corcoran
Vice-Chair- David Carter
Secretary- Perry Ogden
Treasurer- Barb Casper
Member- John Cluxton
NRCS Coordinator- John Kellis
Administrative Assistant- Brenda Bradds
NRCS/ACES Employee - Dave Parry

Address:

12681 US Route 62
Sardinia, OH 45171
Tel.: (937) 695-1293
FAX: (937) 695-1296

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Ohio Valley 2006 Council Membership

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Current Goals and Objectives of the Ohio Valley RC&D Council

To address the needs and opportunities through the Resource Conservation & Development program, the Ohio Valley RC&D Council has adopted the following goals and objectives as a guideline for long term assistance in the ten county region over the next five years.

1. Land Conservation – To encourage and carry out projects with the primary and/or secondary purpose of controlling erosion and sedimentation.
2. Water management – To encourage and carry out activities aimed at promoting the conservation, use, and quality of water, including: irrigation and rural water supplies; the mitigation of floods and high water tables; the repair and improvement of reservoirs; the improvement of agricultural water management; and the improvement of water quality.
3. Community Development – To promote the development of resource-based industries; the protection of rural industries from natural resource hazards; the development of adequate rural water and waste disposal systems; the improvement of recreation facilities; the improvement of rural housing; the provision of adequate health and education facilities; the satisfaction of essential transportation and communication needs; and the promotion of food security, economic development, and education.
4. Land Management – Promote energy conservation that includes the production of energy crops; the protection of agricultural land as appropriate from conversion to other uses; farmland protection; and the protection of fish and wildlife habitats.
5. Council Capacity - To develop the Ohio Valley RC&D Organizational capacity and associated programs that develop support for the operation of the RC&D and provide financial assistance for RC&D adopted projects.
6. Watershed Projects - To encourage the development of watershed management organizations and the coordination of conservation and water quality issues on a watershed-basis.
7. Partnership Capacity - To carry out a comprehensive and effective program that provides Grantwriting, planning, and fundraising assistance to groups, units of government, and other organizations in Southwest Ohio.
8. Civil Rights and Outreach - To recognize the RC&D’s role in providing consistent and positive assistance to all groups and projects regardless of the economic or social condition present.

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Strategies

	Ohio Valley RC&D has a long and continuous history of partnering with other USDA Agencies to complete RC&D Projects. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides a vital link of technical support that enables the RC&D to provide quality service. Rural Development (RD) continues to provide project funds including dollars to establish Revolving Loans to local natural resource based businesses.
	Ohio Valley and the RC&D Program in general serve the non-profit community and strive to improve the capability of these organizations by increasing their capability through planning, fund raising, or training. Combining efforts through cooperation and partnerships to increase community improvement and rural development activities.
	Improving communications and cooperation among the RC&D’s members through meetings, teleconferences, committee activity, and new technologies are critical to the future success and continued growth at the RC&D Council.
	Ohio Valley feels that efforts to improve the economic vitality of Southern Ohio communities are critical to the region. The RC&D Council is working to provide technical assistance and financial support directly to businesses and non-profit organizations. The Council is also interested in facilitating discussions about the economic climate and infrastructure available to support needed economic growth.

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