Area Plan

With Assistance From:

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Also cooperating Federal, State and local government & other groups

Prepared under authority of the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981, Public Law 97-98, 16 U.S.C. 3451-3461

as amended by Public Law 101-624, Section 1452

The Green Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council in cooperation with its partners and the public has updated their Area Plan. The plan will act as a Long Range and Strategic document to guide the RC&D Council in its activities for the next 5 years.

The public input and involvement strategy that was used evolved around maximizing contact with the general public and the many users of RC&D programs. As a result, a survey/questionnaire was mailed to all RC&D partners, organizations and clients in February 2003. In addition, 3 public meetings were held to assess needs and concerns of our citizens. Special outreach efforts were made to involve the Amish community and other identified minorities or underserved populations in the Green Hills RC&D region.

Public meetings held on the following dates and locations:

June 24, 2003 in Princeton, MO, Mercer County Courthouse

June 25, 2003, in Trenton, MO, Grundy County Courthouse

June 26, 2003, in Chillicothe, MO, Livingston County Courthouse

It is with pleasure that we provide this plan to the public and our partners so that others can better understand the mission of the Green Hills RC&D Council and its benefits to our local communities.

Results of the RC&D Council public participation efforts and outreach are included in the Goals, Objectives and Strategies of this Area Planning document. In addition, any major project activity or change in direction due to uncontrollable circumstances will be addressed with public input and suggestions. This will be done as needed with a semi annual review of the Area Plan to keep pace with changing times and for council updates and monitoring.

The Green Hills RC&D will address all major components identified in the National RC&D Handbook per Public Law 107-171. Each of the following required elements will have either a goal or objectives that will be included in the Area Plan.

Land  Conservation Element

Water Management Element

Community Development Element

Land Management Element

Other Elements

GREEN HILLS RC&D AREA PLAN

The Green Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council is assessing its Area Plan to be sensitive to the needs and concerns of local residents. Most of 2003 was spent in gathering public opinion to determine goals, objectives and strategies for the plan.

Local and Regional Government

Environmental and Conservation Organizations

Civic and Charitable Groups

Minority, Underserved and Limited Resource individuals

Local schools, colleges and universities

Regional Planning Commissions

Soil and Water Districts and Extension Councils

Questionnaires/Surveys

Public Meetings

Open door policy – comments anytime

Ask public during Annual Meetings and other functions

RC&D database progress

Yearly area plan reviews

Council member poll

Public evaluation (survey)

Congressional evaluation

Staff evaluation

Recipients of RC&D programs and service

Improve program delivery and services to RC&D customers and citizens of the Green Hills region.

Enhance local education programs to reduce outmigration and improve job skills with emphasis on women and minorities.

Improve the economic conditions in the RC&D area through programs that promote partnerships.

Develop the natural resources of the Green Hills area to improve environmental conditions and sustain long term productivity.

Provide community development services through training and leadership development that impact the quality of life for all citizens.

Objectives

Goal 1: Program Delivery/Outreach Element

Offer program services to limited resource clients in the nine county area

Improve services to local communities on emergency preparedness and planning

Assist local sponsors to identify program needs and social solutions to problems identified by the public

Goal 2: Capacity Building Element

Provide information to local schools and groups on projects and opportunities that could enhance their efforts

Provide grantwriting training to empower local organizations to further their capacity

Develop and implement capacity building projects that impact the local communities

Goal 3: Economic Development Element

Assess individual projects that can improve economic conditions in the area and bring together partners

Develop trained grantwriters to empower local community

Provide assistance and support to local community foundations on local projects and partnerships to enhance development

Goal 4: Water management/5 land Conservation Element

Provide direct assistance to cities and counties in the development of new water supplies for consumption and recreation

Develop local wetland resources for education, recreation and community benefits

Assist area small farmers and limited resource individuals in the development of alternative enterprises

Develop local resources to reduce soil erosion and improve pollution control that effects area water resources

Goal 5: Community Development/Land Management Element

Assist partners with development of eco-tourism activities to enhance local economics

Utilize existing leadership development programs both state and federally sponsored to empower local organizations

Help develop local resource based industries and small business through training and grantwriting

Assist with market development of local products and resources to improve small farm income levels

STRATEGIES

Specific strategies to address RC&D objectives can be found in the RC&D Plan of Work. The Plan of Work or Business Plan is a yearly document that addresses specific projects on a year to year basis. It is designed to distribute the RC&D Councils workload in a more manageable climate with realistic expectations of what can be accomplished in a one year time frame.

Results of the Green Hills RC&D Public Participation Efforts

2003 Development of the RC&D Area Plan

RC&D surveys were mailed to 1000 local residents in March.

3 public meetings were held in June in 3 different RC&D counties.

Public comments were solicited at RC&D events and meetings from January through August 2003.

The following comments are prioritized and grouped from the sources indicated above.

Watershed Problems – flooding/need money to fix

Youth activities – more activities, keep youth in area

Tourism – lakes, recreation, camping/promote more fairs & festivals/capture travelers/passersby

Open sewage outlets – residential rural properties/corporate livestock operations

Water supply – new lakes

Small farmer opportunities – to improve income/alternative enterprises

More grantwriting training – improve local library search facilities

Fire protection – more dry hydrants/better equipment

Improve leadership development in rural communities

Develop community spirit – programs that galvanize local people

Groundwater quality – assessment and improvement

Amish buggy trails – off main highways in concentrated populations

Wetland development and education opportunities

Marketing of small farm poultry, pork, beef

Law enforcement issues – officers paying their own vehicle insurance and maintenance

More jobs in rural communities through training and education

Timber management/Wildlife management – workshops and training

All other concerns, not ranked or prioritized:

Take advantage of our rare & productive mollisoils - promote the economy/manage the soil resources

Citizen education in conservation programs

Community development to provide jobs

Soil erosion control

Livestock marketing

Small business development

Need for new lakes in several counties

Highway problems – multiple uses, cycling, running

Provide technical services to more landowners

The Green Hills Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. agrees that the RC&D program will be conducted in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions as contained in Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-259) and other nondiscrimination statues; namely, Section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture (7CFR-15, Subparts A & B) which provide that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, marital or family status, political beliefs, sexual orientation or handicap/disability be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial (or technical) assistance from the Department of Agriculture or any agency thereof.

The Green Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. agrees that the signing of this document constitutes agreement to comply with federal laws concerning restrictions on lobbying, a drug-free workplace, and responsibilities for nonprocurement, suspension, and disbarment, and state review.

The Green Hills Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. hereby adopts this RC&D Area Plan and agrees to effectively use the assistance provided by the United States Department of Agriculture to realize the goals and objectives outlined herein.

By: ____________________________________ Date:_________________________

Chairperson

Attest: __________________________________ Date__________________________

Secretary

This action authorized at an official meeting of the Green Hills RC&D Council, Inc., on

_________________________________

The State Conservationist hereby acknowledges the attached Area Plan of the Green Hills RC&D Council, Inc., as meeting the requirements under Public Law 97-98 to receive assistance from USDA.

By: ____________________________________ Date: _________________________

State Conservationist

1998 - 2003 Plan:  Moving into the 21st Century

Human and Social Resources:

The Green Hills RC&D area needs to assist residents with employment, small business development, leadership training and job training.  There is also an increased need for social programs because of the dwindling tax base, loss of industry and a decaying infrastructure.  There is a need for drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, centers for abused women, centers for unwed mothers and programs that provide financial assistance to the underprivileged.

Local education and improvement of job skills are key factors to decrease out-migration, which reduced the are-wide population by 12 percent between 1980 and 1990.  This could take the form of expanded vocational-technical programs, adult education, government-funded job training, etc.  There is also a lack of economic resilience in most localities, especially in the ability of people of find jobs to replace lost one.

Most public facilities are in disrepair and are inaccessible to disabled or elderly people.  There are also inadequacies in sewer and water systems.  In addition, natural gas is unavailable to many communities, causing costs for energy intensive businesses to be too prohibitive to locate in this region.

Because of inadequate water sources and methods of water extraction, the Green Hills area needs programs to aid in rural fire protection.  It is largely a grassy region, mixed with brush and timber, making wildfires difficult and costly to control.  Only a few of the fire protection districts are tax-supported, and many of the smaller communities have limited equipment and funding for training. 

RC&D Goal:

Through leadership development, educational programs to reduce youth out-mitigation, increased social support, and enhanced emergency services, local communities will be better equipped to address their needs.

Strategies:

• Provide leadership development training for local government and community leaders through existing and innovative programs.

• Assist with planning and funding searches for "Agri-Science" Centers; and assist FFA Alumni and local school systems to implement training for area youth.

• Improve rural fire protection via dry fire hydrant installation, location of water supplies, and the creation of maps to aid use of existing installations.

• Assist county governments with developing a county road sign base for use with the 911 Emergency System.

• Provide information and workshops regarding the improvement of law enforcement training, community grant writing training and home-based business development.

• Assist with flood control/recreation water impoundment projects, rural fire protection grants, and rural development programs available through government programs and private foundation grants.

Economic Resource:

Business development is hampered by the generally depressed nature of agriculture throughout north-central Missouri, which has one of the highest farm foreclosure rates in the nation.  In addition, many of the small industries in rural communities throughout the are have closed, because of foreign competition, high transportation costs, and changing technologies.  The deregulation of transportation, communications, and financial service in industries have also increased business prices in rural locations.  The cessation of commuter air traffic, bank closures, and the end of regularly scheduled passenger bus service have greatly affected the economy of the Green Hills area.

New and existing business development, a well-trained workforce and light industry are just a few of the existing needs in the area.  Secondary processing and value-added products from agricultural commodities should be a focus when economically and environmentally possible.  The Green Hills must continue to diversify its economy, and must especially increase its percentage of manufacturing employment.

Another need of the area is infrastructure improvement, to make the area attractive for development and expansion.  The natural resource base will also play an important role in future economic vitality for production of goods and recreation-based industries.  Green Hills should undertake the secondary processing of these resources including gasification of the area's coal resources, when economically and environmentally feasible.  Processing of agricultural products for sale outside the area would provide additional expansion.  Investigation into the food processing industry may also provide additional economic opportunities.

The needs of the agricultural and livestock production industry include:  market development and expansion, waste disposal, forage output, breeding stock quality, animal management, financing, and bio-fuels technology development.  The expansion and development of the tourism and recreation industries is also needed to boost local economics, and to provide jobs and programs for Green Hills residents.

RC&D Goal:

The economic base of the area will be expanded by establishing more small businesses and by expanding existing businesses.  It will also be expanded by greater availability of job training, and an increase in the use of value-added products and the natural resource base.

Strategies:

• Assist in seeking funding, information sharing, and lobbying for business development.

• Develop uses for biofuels from existing cropland and grasses for alternative income sources.

• Assist in the development of tourism resources inventory and marketing brochures.

• Have grant writing workshops and build a team of writers to work together on community or regional projects.

• Assist with market development of local products and resources.

• Assist local business and organizations to develop leadership at the community level.

Environment and Natural Resources:

The Green Hills region and adjacent counties are blessed with unique natural areas and scenic beauty.  These resources are under utilized and need a publicity campaign.  Since the region's primary source of income is from agriculture, a great deal of its resource base is committed to agricultural and livestock production.  This results in animal waste and chemical runoff, which pose problems.

Soil erosion, although greatly reduced with the advent of the 1985 Food Security Act, is still a problem in this area.  The fertility of most soils in the Green Hills area is low and unbalanced.

The forests in this region are underutilized and undermanaged, while grasslands are over-utilized and overgrazed.  Wildlife and fish populations, and recreational resources, have also been underutilized and undermanaged.

Recreation resources and tourism attractions have the potential to improve the local economy, but the area needs a unified approach with tourism councils and organizations.  Increasing competition for land, and the subsequent loss of habitat, has reduced wildlife production.  More emphasis and guidance is needed for planning multiple uses of wildlife, and for agricultural practices to enhance wildlife.

An assessment of all ground water resources is also needed.  Cooperation between local governments is needed for the development of recycling markets and composting programs.  This would lessen the financial responsibilities of individual jurisdictions.

RC&D Goal:

Develop programs that will protect and conserve the natural resources of the area and put them to use to add value and increase productivity.

Strategies:

• Help communities acquire recreational and water supply type lakes through USDA's Watershed Protection Program.

• Assist local landowners with the development of alternative uses for CRP grasses and trees.

• Investigate the potential of,  and seek funding sources for, an ethanol from switch grass production project.

• Assist in the development of small wood products businesses by surveying local demand.

• Assist with the development and expansion of the Agri-Science Center concept to demonstrate new techniques.

• Establish a micro-loan program for home based business start-up (for businesses based on forest products).

• Develop an eco-tourism industry for non-comsumptive wildlife uses.

The Green Hills Area:

The Green Hills area is comprised of nine north-central Missouri counties (Caldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivan), which cover 3,152,120 acres.  Forty-four percent of the area is used for cropland, 43 percent is used for grassland, and 10 percent is used for forest land.  The rest of the area is home to small rural communities, and includes bodies of water and roads.  The closest urban centers include Kansas City, 90 miles southwest; Des Moines, Iowa, 130 miles north; and St. Joseph, Missouri, 70 miles west.  Agriculture plays a major role in the economy of the area, with grain and livestock as the major sources of income.  The region also contains a variety of aquatic recreational opportunities, which include farm ponds, streams and rivers, state owned community lakes, and city reservoirs.  Forest land resources contribute approximately $2.6 million annually to the economy.  Of the nearly 1.4 million acres of grassland, most of the forage and pasture is marketed through livestock.  Through hunting, fishing and wildlife preservation and enhancement, wildlife resources serve as a valuable asset to the region's economic and social well-being.  In addition, the area has one of the state's largest coal reserves, and several small limestone quarries.

The Green Hills RC&D:

The Green Hills RC&D Council, Inc., is a group of community leaders who provide direction and leadership to identify and address the area's needs and potential.  The overall goal of the Green Hills RC&D is to promote the wise use of human and natural resources.  Ultimately, the goal is to improve the quality of life for all Green Hills citizens.

To address the area's identified problems and opportunities, the council must have a written area plan, with goals, objectives, and a vision.  The area plan is a cooperative effort between local, state and federal governments, local citizens, businesses and other groups to improve rural conditions in the Green hills RC&D region.

The area plan and annual plan of work help to address some of the area's problems, and they require the assistance of many cooperating agencies and organizations.  The Green Hills RC&D Council will follow the plan, and make revisions as needed, to stay current with issues critical to bringing about positive change.   The purpose of this plan is to guide the efforts of local leadership as it pursues rural development initiatives in the Green Hills region.

Although the RC&D foundation is primarily agricultural related, it is necessary for the RC&D to diversify, not only in the area of agriculture production and commodities, but in areas that involve community development and environmental enhancement.

Resource concerns and problems have changed since the birth of the Green Hills RC&D.  They require new approaches and innovative techniques.  Many problems are finally being addressed on a regional and local basis.  Other problems need considerable attention.

The needs of the Green Hills area, as identified by the RC&D Council, fall into three basic categories:

1.      Human and Social Resources

2.      Economic Resources

3.      Environmental and Natural Resources

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