In February of 1991, staff members of the Western Missouri Private Industry Council, Inc., (WMPIC) [now known as the Workforce Development Board of West Central Missouri] attended the Southwestern States Association of RC&D's in Springfield, Missouri. At the conclusion of the meeting, the WMPIC, staff members were very excited about the prospect of an RC&D area being formed in their portion of the state. The WMPIC Council proposed that further investigation be done. After meeting with local communities and County Commissions, the WMPIC petitioned the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) for assistance in forming an RC&D area for seven counties of: Ray, Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Saline, Johnson and Pettis. After review of the Resource Conservation and Development program and mission, the seven counties agreed to form the Prairie Rose RC&D to address the resource concerns of the area.

An RC&D steering committee was formed on February 19, 1992 after receiving strong support from the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, County Commissions and other organizations in the region. A bylaw committee was formed at this time to develop the bylaws of the organization and to begin work on incorporation. The bylaws and Articles of Incorporation were approved and an initial Board of Trustees was elected on April 1, 1992. The council was incorporated with the State of Missouri as a not-for-profit organization on April 23, 1992. Application for non-profit status with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization was approved on October 27, 1992. The Area was authorized in February, 1993.