Community Partnerships RC&D Area Plan 2010

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Community Partnerships

RC&D

Strategic Area Plan

2010 - 2015

23 North Main StreetLewistown, PA 17044Phone: (717) 248-4901Fax: (717) 513-1031

cpartnerships.com


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Table of ContentsCOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D...................................................................................................................................1

STRATEGIC AREA PLAN ...................................................................................................................................................................12010 - 2015..................................................................................................................................................................................1

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................................4

MOTTO..........................................................................................................................................................................................4VISION...........................................................................................................................................................................................4MISSION.........................................................................................................................................................................................4VALUES..........................................................................................................................................................................................4FOCUS AREAS.................................................................................................................................................................................4ROLES............................................................................................................................................................................................4PURPOSES.......................................................................................................................................................................................5ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES........................................................................................................................................................6

Arts, Aesthetics, and Culture..................................................................................................................................................6

Community Sustainability.......................................................................................................................................................6

Conservation of Natural Resources.......................................................................................................................................6

Economic Improvement .........................................................................................................................................................7 Project Review Criteria..........................................................................................................................................................7

II. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................8

HISTORY ........................................................................................................................................................................................8Background and Council Structure......................................................................................................................................12

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA.........................................................................................................................................13

LOCATION:....................................................................................................................................................................................13LAND USAGE:...............................................................................................................................................................................13FARM LAND USEAND VEGETATION:................................................................................................................................................13FOREST LAND:..............................................................................................................................................................................13CLIMATE......................................................................................................................................................................................14SOIL:...........................................................................................................................................................................................14WATER:.......................................................................................................................................................................................15TOPOGRAPHY:...............................................................................................................................................................................16POPULATION:.................................................................................................................................................................................17EMPLOYMENT:...............................................................................................................................................................................18

Farming................................................................................................................................................................................18

Industrial..............................................................................................................................................................................18Service Industry....................................................................................................................................................................18

Education Sector..................................................................................................................................................................18

Health Care..........................................................................................................................................................................19

INCOME:.......................................................................................................................................................................................19ECONOMIC ACTIVITY:.....................................................................................................................................................................19UNEMPLOYMENT:...........................................................................................................................................................................19POVERTY: ...................................................................................................................................................................................19

EDUCATION: ................................................................................................................................................................................20

IV. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES DESCRIPTION OF PUBLIC ......................................................................21

PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES..............................................................................................................................................................21REQUIRED ELEMENTS.....................................................................................................................................................................25

Land Conservation - Erosion and Sediment Control...........................................................................................................25

Land Management - Energy Conservation, Land-Use, Farmland Protection, Fish and Wildlife Habitat Protection.26

Water Management - Conservation, Use, and Quality of Water.........................................................................................28

V. IMMINENT FOCUS...............................................................................................................................................................34

ASSET-BASED (HOME GROWN) BUSINESS........................................................................................................................................34COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D CENTER....................................................................................................................................34

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PENNSYLVANIA PARTNERSINTHE ARTS (PPA) PROGRAM ...............................................................................................................35GRANT MANAGEMENTAND ADMINISTRATION....................................................................................................................................36

VI. GOALS, OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES.............................................................................................................................37

SMARTER GOALS:....................................................................................................................................................................37GOAL 1: COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT .............................................................................................................................................37

Objectives: ...........................................................................................................................................................................37

Strategies: ............................................................................................................................................................................37

GOAL 2: NATURAL RESOURCESAND COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY.....................................................................................................38Objectives: ...........................................................................................................................................................................38Strategies: ............................................................................................................................................................................38

GOAL 3: SENSEOF PLACEAND CREATIVE COMMUNITY.....................................................................................................................39Objectives:............................................................................................................................................................................39

Strategies .............................................................................................................................................................................39GOAL 4: HEALTHY COMMUNITYAND QUALITYOF LIFE....................................................................................................................40

Objectives: ...........................................................................................................................................................................40

Strategies: ............................................................................................................................................................................40

GOAL 5: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTAND CAPACITY BUILDING .........................................................................................................41Objectives: ...........................................................................................................................................................................41

Strategies: ............................................................................................................................................................................41

VII. ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS .........................................................................................................................43

VII. LINKAGES TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) STRATEGIC PLAN... .44

SERVICE.......................................................................................................................................................................................44PARTNERSHIP................................................................................................................................................................................44TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE................................................................................................................................................................44COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D/NRCS MISSION GOALS LINKS...................................................................................................45HIGH QUALITY, PRODUCTIVE SOILS ................................................................................................................................................45CLEANAND ABUNDANT WATER......................................................................................................................................................46HEALTHY PLANTAND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES ..................................................................................................................................46CLEAN AIR...................................................................................................................................................................................47...................................................................................................................................................................................................47AN ADEQUATE ENERGY SUPPLY......................................................................................................................................................48WORKING FARMAND RANCH LANDS (AND CONNECTED LANDSCAPES).................................................................................................49

IX. DOCUMENTED PUBLIC INPUT ......................................................................................................................................50

X. FUNDING AND OTHER RESOURCES PLAN:.................................................................................................................51

POTENTIAL SOURCESOF INCOME......................................................................................................................................................51

XI. AGREEMENTS.....................................................................................................................................................................52

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D COUNCIL, INC. PENNSYLVANIA...................................................................................................53

XII. MAPS.....................................................................................................................................................................................54

XIII. APPENDICES.....................................................................................................................................................................55

A. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:...................................................................................................................................................55B. DEMOGRAPHIC CHARTS..........................................................................................................................................................56

1. Employment Sectors by County....................................................................................................................................................563. Farm Land Acreage ................................................................................................................................................................. ....584. Land Area Per County...................................................................................................................................................................585. Population Spread (2008)..............................................................................................................................................................586. Population Density........................................................................................................................................................................597. Age Cohorts of Community Partnerships RC&D..........................................................................................................................598. Racial Demographics of Population..............................................................................................................................................609. Overall Poverty Rate and the Poverty Rate Among Children........................................................................................................6010. Income Median and Per Capita in the Community Partnerships RC&D Area.............................................................................6111. Percentage of People Making Less than $25,000/year.................................................................................................................6112. Education of Population 25 Years Old and Up............................................................................................................................6213. Education Dropout Rate and the Rate of Student Planning to Attend College.............................................................................62

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Organizational OverviewCommunity Partnerships RC&D was founded in 1992. Immediately, the motto, Pride in Community Partnerships in Action, was adopted. The vision, mission, values, focus areas, roles, purposes,organizational philosophies, and project review criteria were developed throughout the first year atvarious public meetings and retreats. They were reviewed at regular board meetings and retreats andmorphed into their current form and were solidified at the annual board retreat on March 17, 2010.

Motto

Pride in Community Partnerships in Action.

VisionWorking together for the greater good.

MissionTo help the community through creative partnerships.

ValuesSense of place, success, positive focus, stewardship, kindness, beauty, respect, community involvement,personal responsibility, integrity, cultural preservation, arts, clear night skies, sustainability

Focus Areas

Arts, Aesthetics, and Culture

Community Sustainability

Conservation of Natural Resources

Economic Improvement

RolesCommunity Partnerships RC&Ds role in the community is to:

Serve as a catalyst for community improvement and sustainability

Nurture a Sense of Place

Provide access to resources

Foster cultural and natural resources conservation

Promote Networking

Provide and Promote educational opportunities

Enhance quality of life

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PurposesCommunity Partnerships RC&D is organized for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes. Toachieve these purposes Community Partnerships RC&D shall:

1. Promote and enhance public appreciation of community, social, cultural, artistic, economic, andenvironmental wellbeing.

2. Develop and carry out the RC&D Area Plan.3. Enhance public awareness of the urgency and need for the sustainable use and management of

cultural, human, and natural resources.4. Develop and articulate a vision of the environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic conditions that

characterize a healthy region.5. Cooperate with individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies to improve the quality of life

in the region.

These endeavors are pursued by working collaboratively with and facilitating access to technical,educational, financial, and other resources required to implement locally identified and initiated projects.

Pennsylvania Wildlife

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Produce From a LocalFarmers' Market

Organizational Philosophies

For Strengthening . . . Pride in Community Partnerships in Action.

Please note that all of the philosophies of Community Partnerships RC&D overlap all four focus areas(Arts, Sustainability, Natural Resources, and Economy). Ultimately, humans are the most precious

natural resource.

Arts, Aesthetics, and Culture

Support efforts that have a positive effect on thesustainability, aesthetics, and beauty of the region.

Encourage and promote farmers markets andartisan centers.

Advance and cultivate the spirit of communitythrough arts, architecture, culture, history,partnerships, and the sciences.

Support architecture and projects that value form as well

as function.

Community Sustainability

Support the health and beauty of downtown centers. Thehealth of a region is determined by the vitality of its corecommunities.

Promote healthy, safe, educated, caring, respectful, andresponsible lifestyles.

Encourage and promote diversity and respect for allpeople and cultures.

Support partnerships for a strong and vibrantcommunity and economy.

Work for and create awareness of the need for healthy communities and healthy citizens.

Preserve historic treasures and landscapes that define the character of community and celebrateheritage.

Encourage, promote, and support tourism.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Connect people to nature and the outdoors.

Keep farmlands as farms and support conservation minded vibrant family farms.

Support sustainable agriculture.

Strengthen Buy Fresh Buy Local.

Advocate sustainable use of all resources (human and other naturalresources).

Promote clean and abundant water supplies, includinggroundwater recharge.

Protect clean air.

Support the protection of the clear night skies.

Promote and use native species.

Create awareness of the devastation caused by invasive species.

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Promote green energy and green lifestyles.

Promote Clean and sustainable energy.

Economic Improvement

Support local businesses that focus on asset-based economic and community sustainability.

Create an environment for sustainable job creation and retention. Provide training and other opportunities for effective community leadership.

Celebrate and protect the visual resources of the region (landscapes, architecture, night skies, etc.).

Create a sense of place so people connect with their neighborhoods, downtown centers, the region,the outdoors, and each other.

Project Review Criteria

Community Partnerships RC&D assists with projects in arts, aesthetics, and culture; communitysustainability, natural resources conservation, and economic improvement. The following criteria areused to prioritize projects:

Project must adhere to Community Partnerships RC&D goals and objectives

Avoid replication (do not compete or overlap with others) Community benefit

Congruent with the focus areas and philosophies of Community Partnerships RC&D

Regional Focus

Documentable need

Planned course of action (business plan created by sponsor)

Projected cost budget

Sustainability

Ability of sponsor to manage and maintain completed project

Clear maintenance responsibility

Visibility/Community Benefit Opportunity for collaboration

Access to funding

Technical feasibility

RC&D Representative (from Board or Council)

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RC&D Coordinator

Larry Schardt

Project File

II. Introduction and Background

HistoryThe Community Partnerships RC&D Council (originally Mid-StateRC&D) formed on June 1, 1992 to promote the long-term social,economic, and environmental well being of the central Pennsylvaniaregion. The RC&D applied for and became a 501 (c) (3) legalnonprofit organization allowing major benefit for the region.

Community Partnerships RC&D applied for official designation as anRC&D Area from USDA. The RC&D received USDA designation inApril 1994. Support from USDA allows for additional projectpossibilities and helps leverage funds by providing a full timecoordinator, part time clerical staff, office support, and USDAtechnical and financial assistance. Designation also allows partneringwith the 375 independent RC&Ds covering 80% the United Statesand its territories. Every RC&D is separate and governed by bylawsdistinct to that particular area.

Community Partnerships RC&Ds core area is the central Pennsylvania counties of Juniata, Mifflin,Perry, Snyder, and Union. However, projects can be far reaching and extend beyond the core region toall areas throughout the United States and its territories.

Community Partnerships RC&D assists with and implements community projects that are submitted byindividuals, organizations, or council members for board approval. Once approved, the RC&D works withthe project sponsors to coordinate and network with appropriate persons and organizations. CommunityPartnerships RC&D also initiates projects that are carried out by the council itself.

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Leader of Tomorrow

Community Partnerships RC&D relies on active participation of small businesses, government agencies,individuals, and a wide range of non-profit, social service, and otherorganizations to meet community goals. Projects undertaken byCommunity Partnerships RC&D reflect the councils goals andvision for the future in the areas of communitydevelopment/improvement, economic improvement, leadershipdevelopment, and natural resource sustainability.

From the beginning, Community Partnerships RC&D has trainedtomorrows leaders through a very active internship program. Anactive internship program allows youth to be directly involved withthe community and make a difference from an early age. Over 100young people have worked as interns. The RC&D also utilizes theAmeriCorps program allowing students to pay back student loans.Additional training and workforce is acquired through theExperience Works program which retrains seniors and allows themto reenter the workforce.

In 2001, Community Partnerships RC&D Council became a partner in the Pennsylvania Partners in theArts (PPA) program. The PPA program relies on regional partners to redistribute Pennsylvania Councilon the Arts (PCA) funding on a regional basis. This program opened up exciting avenues to conserve anddevelop the cultural and artistic integrity in the Community Partnerships RC&D area.

Each year the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts uses a formula to decentralize state arts funding andredistribute it regionally, through the PPA program. The PPA program allows Community PartnershipsRC&D to provide local citizens enhanced access to state funding and resources to improve the quality of

life in Central Pennsylvania.

Some of the advantages of the PPA program are: additional resources for projects that focus oncommunity benefit, increased assistance to artists and arts organizations, increased partnerships andnetworking opportunities, expanded local access to arts and culture, local decision making, simplifiedgrant process, and competition only among local entities. In addition, benefits include an expandednetwork of citizens from all walks of life, strong bonds between local and Federal legislators, PCA andRC&D name recognition, ability to provide a minimum of 10 grant seminars per year, and local access toa plethora of resources.Being a partner in the PPA program also allows creativity and opportunities to link the arts with natural

resources. When an individual or organization receives a grant through the Community PartnershipsRC&D/PPA program, they are encouraged to plant a native tree. The tree symbolizes the link betweennature and the arts and signifies the beauty in each. Use of native species is highlighted to educate thepublic about the critical need to use natives in all landscapes, especially in urban and suburban settingsand streetscapes.

The PPA workshops also provide an opportunity to educate the public on the availability of grants andbasics of the grant process. Community Partner-ships RC&D also uses the workshops as a vehicle tobroaden the message of the importance of sustainable use of natural resources. Diverse audiences arecomposed of those who might not otherwise be aware of resource issues. Highlighted issues include: Buy

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Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Panel

Fresh Buy Local; Storm Water Retention (rain gardens, rain barrels, etc.); devastating effects ofinvasive species; benefits of using native species; benefits of grass fed animals; and many more.

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Executive Director Sam Price

In 2003, Community Partnerships RC&D Council purchased a building in downtown Lewistown toshow true commitment to the community by locating in the heart of one of its downtown centers.Training sessions, workshops, and community open housesare held at the Community Partnerships RC&D Centerallowing for leadership development, communityimprovement, and citizen involvement. The CommunityPartnerships RC&D Headquarters is a place where

community sustainability sprouts and blooms.

In 2003, Community Partnerships RC&D hired the firstcouncil employee, an assistant coordinator. In 2007 theCouncil created a second position for a Natural ResourcesSpecialist. Because of its ever-increasing array of projectsand work with the public, the Council hired its first executivedirector in 2009. Currently, there are two full time councilemployees, the Executive Director and the NaturalResources Specialist. USDA continues to support theCouncil with a coordinator.

In 2007, Community Partnerships RC&D became a FolkArts Regional Support Center. As such the RC&D is theseventh statewide partner in the Folks Arts Infrastructure.This program is administered by the Institute for CulturalPartnerships in association with the Pennsylvania Council onthe Arts. Community Partnerships RC&D established andcontinues to build a folk arts roster. The roster identifiestradition bearers and asset-based enterprises in the regionand links artists, farmers, and other business owners to resources in Juniata, Mifflin, Northumberland,Perry, Snyder, and Union Counties.

Local Folk Artist George Orthey's Autoharp

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On New Years Eve 2007 - 2008, a new tradition was initiated by Community Partnerships RC&D. Thefirst annual Great Chip Drop was conducted in the square in downtown Lewistown. Between 4,000 and5,000 residents greeted the New Year in an alcohol free community event. The initial celebration farexceeded expectations and continues to grow every year.

In 2009, Community Partnerships RC&D created another annual celebration. The Pennsylvania Canal

Celebration was created as an opportunity to educate area residents about the value of natural resourcesand community sustainability. Workshops throughout the day, focus on resource sustainability includingeducation on the use of: rain gardens, rain barrels, composting, natural design, and other environmentalpractices. A civil war encampment, nature hike, historic tours, and local vendors round out this lateAugust event in Juniata County.

The wonderful partnership between USDA and Community Partnerships RC&D has created manyopportunities for the community. The partnership continues to grow and solidify allowing resources tocreate an improved quality of life in the region.

Background and Council Structure

Community Partnerships RC&D Council is comprised of citizens throughout the region and governed bya Board of Directors. The RC&D Council is established to serve all citizens, primarily in the counties ofJuniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, and Union in Pennsylvania. Council membership is open to anyone and iscurrently a network of citizens, municipal professionals, and other professionals representing manyperspectives with a multitude of capabilities. Council members are employed in many different walks oflife within the community including education, business, recreation, agriculture, banking, arts, thephysical sciences, and others.

The Board of Directors consists of ten members; five nominated by the council and approved by county

government and five elected by the council. The five (5) appointed/approved members represent eachcounty. The five (5) elected members are not county specific. All board members focus on regionalneeds.

The Board of Directors assists the RC&D to identify local issues and needs. The council, staff, and Boardof Directors work together in order to find support for projects designed to address needs within thecommunity. Community Partnerships RC&D may support a project by connecting project sponsors withother organizations that can, for example, help with design work or provide labor. RC&D may also helpby locating possible funding sources and advising with the funding application process. RC&D alsoadministers grants for other organizations and re-grants funding as available.

Because Community Partnerships RC&D is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit it is eligible to receive charitable

contributions and a broad variety of state and federal grants. This may enable a group or community tofund a project it would otherwise not be able to afford. In addition, the Natural Resources ConservationService provides technical and financial support to the RC&D in the form of a full time coordinator,administrative support, office space, and additional financial support through a cooperative agreement.

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Pennsylvania Forest

III. Description of the Area

Location:Community Partnerships RC&D is poised for providing assistance to improve communities throughoutthe United States and its Territories. Locally, resources are targeted to the core area covering five centralPennsylvania counties: Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder and Union. (See Maps - RC&D areas). The area

consists of 1,279,555 acres, and services a combined population of 196,107.

Land Usage:Land use types include: 59% forests, 39% farms, and 2% residential, industrial and commercial. Thereare 69 townships and 28 boroughs in the Community Partnerships RC&D area.

Farm Land Use and Vegetation:There are 500,163 acres of farmland including 4,386 farms for an average farm size of 114 acres.Although most farms in thearea are dairy operations (42%

of all cash receipts); poultry(25%), meat (15%), field crops(5 %), and horticulture crops(3%) are also importantcontributors to total farmincome. Most of the areasfarms are family operated. (SeeAppendix B, Chart 3.)

The major crops in the area arecorn, soybean, wheat, oats, hay,truck crops, and fruits. Grapes

for a developing wine industry,and other special crops are alsogrown in the area. (See Appendix B,Chart 2.)

Forest Land:There are 767,819 total acres of forestland in Community Partnerships RC&Ds region. Two-thirds (2/3)of the areas forests are privately owned. The remaining third (1/3) is made up of state forests, stateparks, and state game lands. The principal forest types are: oak- hickory, Maple-beech-birch, Elm-ash-red maple, Chestnut oak, Eastern white pine, Virginia pine-pitch-pine, and Aspen-birch.

Currently second and third growth timber makes up the woodland of this area. Eighty percent (80%) ofthis woodland is once again mature enough for harvesting.

Properly managed forests provide outstanding recreational opportunities in the area. These resources, andthe presence of over 2,000 seasonal hunting camps, bring many tourists into the area. Outdoor recreationsuch as hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, and hiking annually earns the area an estimated $18 dollars.

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ClimateThe climate of the Community Partnerships RC&D area is humid continental. Summers are warm andfrequently humid. Winters are cool and cloudy. Most weather systems that affect the climate of the areaoriginate in the mid-west and are steered to the east by prevailing westerly wind flow. The Gulf ofMexico and Atlantic Ocean are the two primary sources of moisture. The area has an average annualrainfall of 38 inches (compared to the US average of 37 inches).

Soil:Soils in the Community Partnerships RC&D area can be divided into two broad groups based on theirformation

1. Soils formed in material weathered from sedimentary rocks. These include: shale, sandstone,siltstone, and limestone.

2. Soils formed from glacial till outwash, with some alluvium. These materials were derived mainly

from local red and gray sandstone, siltstone, and shale.

Nearly all of the soils in the area were formed from sedimentary rocks, with a few formed in alluvialsediments and/or glacial till. Most of the soils are Udalfs, Udults, and Ochrepts. They have a mesictemperature regime, udic and aquic moisture regimes and mixed mineralogy. A large percentage of thesoils are well drained. Others range from moderately well drained to very poorly drained.

The existing soils are limited both in depth to bedrock and in the thickness of the solum. This area is oneof the oldest agricultural areas in the United States and most of the arable soils have been extensivelycultivated. Many of the soils of the area are susceptible to severe erosion. Average erosion rates varyfrom 2 tons/acre/year on flatter slopes to as high as 16.3 tons/acre/year on steeper slopes.

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Water:The entire Community Partnerships RC&D area lies within the Susquehanna River Basin. The Majorwaterways are the Susquehanna and Juniata Rivers. The Susquehanna River runs through Union andSnyder County. The Juniata runs through Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry Counties. The Juniata Riverempties into the Susquehanna River, just north of Harrisburg in Clarks Ferry. Flow from all of thestreams in the Community Partnerships RC&D area eventually reaches the Chesapeake Bay via theSusquehanna River, at an average delivery rate of 31,600 gallons per second. The Chesapeake Bay hasbeen identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a critical environmental concern.

Fishermen on the Juniata River

The major streams in the area are Buffalo Creek, Black Run, Little Buffalo Creek, Cocolamus Creek, DoeRun, East Licking Creek, Honey Creek, Jacks Creek, Kishacoquillas Creek, Laurel Run, Lost Creek,Middle Creek, Monongahela Creek, Moyers Mill Run, Mahantango Creek, Penns Creek, Rapid Run,Shermans, Creek, Spring Creek, Spruce Run, Stoney Creek, Sweitzers Run, Swift Run, Turtle Creek,

White Deer Hole Creek, White Deer Creek, Willow Run, and Ulsh Gap Run. There are a number ofman-made lakes in the area, including Faylor Lake, Walker Lake, and others. There are also lakes atsome of the state parks (Penn Roosevelt, Little Buffalo, Shikellamy, and R. B. Winter).

Popular water activities in the Community Partnerships RC&D area include fishing, motor boating, jetskiing, canoeing, and. A dam on the Susquehanna River provides motorboat recreation. Canoeing is ayear-round pastime on both the Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers. While it is also enjoyed on many majorstreams, low water levels frequently limit the season. Fishing is a favorite pastime and brings manytourists to the area, especially along Penns Creek, a nationally renowned trout stream.

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Topography:The Community Partnerships RC&D area lies entirely in the Northern Appalachian Ridge and Valleyphysiographic province. Long forested sandstone and shale ridges, and limestone and shale valleyscharacterize this province. Theridges and valleys run in the southwest to northeast direction. Elevationranges from 380 to 984 feet in the valleys and from 1,312 to 2,250 feet on ridges and mountains. In theCommunity Partnerships RC&D area the highest elevation is 2,250 feet in the Bald Eagle State Forest in

Mifflin County. The lowest elevation is 380 feet, where the Susquehanna River leaves Perry County.Ridges have hilly to steep slopes and rolling crests: valleys are broad and undulating.

Overlook at R.B. Winter State Park

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Population:The population of the total Community Partnerships RC&D area is 196,107. Juniata County has apopulation count of 23,146 and a population density of 58 people per square mile. Mifflin County has apopulation count of 46,062, and a population density of 113 people per square mile. Perry County has apopulation count of 45,185 people., and the population density is 79 people per square mile. SnyderCounty has a population count of 38,074 and a population density of 113 people per square mile. TheUnion County population count is 43,640 people and a population density of 131 people per square mile.Pennsylvania has a total population of 12,448,279 and a population density of 274 people per square mile.(See Appendix B, Charts 5, 6, & 7).

The racial composition of the region, based on the individual counties, is illustrated in Appendix B, Chart8. The graph shows that the majority of the population is Caucasian with little diversity in racial make-up.The majority of population resides in rural areas. Mirroring the state trends, the Community PartnershipsRC&D area is also witnessing a considerable aging of the population as the baby boomer populationretires and ages. An serious concern for community sustainability is the out-migration of youth thatplagues all five counties in the Community Partnerships RC&D region. This is a significant problem

because young citizens become educated and find jobs out of the area, leaving older, possibly lesseducated residents and future problems for the area. Like the Pennsylvania average, approximately 60%of the citizens in the Community Partnerships RC&D area are between ages 18 and 65. (See Appendix B,Chart 8)

Community Partnerships RC&D Area Residents

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Employment:

Farming

There are 4,386 farms in the Community Partnerships RC&D area. Agriculture is the number oneindustry in the region. Corn comprises the majority of agriculture in the region with 104,300 crops peracre. All hay is the second largest crop consisting of 85,000 crops per acre. Corn for grain is the third

most productive crop in the RC&D area with 73,400 crops per acres harvested. Alfalfa and other hay arethe fourth and fifth highest crops per acre. Soy, corn for silage, wheat, oats, barley and other vegetablesare the other crops grown in the area. (See Appendix B, Chart 2)

Industrial

Steel production, machinery and equipment operations, wood products and other primary manufacturingbusinesses comprise the majority of the areas industrial enterprises. The manufacturing sector consists of22.7% of the total employees in the RC&D area.

Service Industry

The number of people that are employed by the accommodation and food services sector is 10% of the

working population. This sector is rapidly increasing due to an increasing population whose demand mustbe met by new dining options in the area. The wholesale and retail trade employs an additional 12.8% ofthe population.

Education Sector

The many high schools and higher learning institutions in the Community Partnerships RC&D area andsurrounding counties including Bucknell, Susquehanna University, Penn State Annex, Penn State MainCampus, and Harrisburg Area Community College are responsible for about 2.3% of the employedpopulation.

Bucknell University

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Health Care

The Health Care and Social Assistance employs 17.2% of the work force in the Community PartnershipsRC&D area. There are many hospitals and medical facilities in and around the RC&D area. Examples arethe Lewistown Hospital, Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, the Geisinger Medical Group in

Lewistown, and the Hershey Medical Centers in Hershey and State College.

Income:Throughout the five county area that the RC&D serves, over 25% of the households earn an income thatis less than $25,000. However these figures mask considerable variations throughout the area. Over sixpercent of income earning residents in the area had an annual per capita income below $10,000. (SeeAppendix B, Charts 10 & 11.)

Economic Activity:While economic activity in the five counties of the Community Partnerships RC&D area is rather diverse,there are also some striking similarities. Each of the local economies in the region have a greaterpercentage of people employed in 1) agriculture, forestry and fisheries and 2) manufacturing than the restof the state. Importantly, these sectors are declining nationally and statewide. This composition and trendexplains many of the present circumstances and future challenges of the region.

As one can gather from Chart 1 in Appendix B, compared to the Pennsylvania average, CommunityPartnerships RC&D region has a lower percentage of employees in the finance, insurance, real estate, andservice sectors; although the latter is the fastest growing segment of the economy. In addition, theCommunity Partnerships RC&D area has approximately 4%-8% fewer managerial and professionalemployees than the state average. Also, 4% of total employees in the Community Partnerships RC&Darea are in labor and craft repairs. When these figures are taken into account, they help explain whyincome levels are low, and poverty rates and unemployment are high in the area.

Unemployment:In general, the Community Partnerships RC&D area can be characterized by higher than averageunemployment. In the past few years the area has lost some major industrial facilities and most of theones that remain have experienced major down sizing. This lower than average per capita income andlow higher education level creates a reliance on manufacturing/industrial jobs and agriculture as the mainemployers. Unemployment rates within the past several years have been as high as 11.2% in some areas.In 2009, the Community Partnerships RC&D area had an average unemployment rate of 9.76% comparedto the state average, which was 8.9%.

Poverty:Poverty is a severe problem in some parts of the area. The poverty rate for the Community PartnershipsRC&D area averaged just below 12% in 2008, while the state averaged 11%. This figure, like the percapita income levels, considerably mask variations within the area (See Appendix B, Chart 9).

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Education:Nearly 19% of adults in the Community Partnerships RC&D area lack high school diplomas (SeeAppendix B, Chart 13) while the average in Pennsylvania is 13.2%. Residents in the area generally lagbehind the rest of the state in higher education. There is a strong interest (65.2%) in high school studentswanting to continue their higher education. Unfortunately, the number of students who actually graduatefrom college is a fraction (14.3% of total population) of the total who wish to attend. (See Appendix B,Chart 13)

Mifflinburg High School

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IV. Challenges and Opportunities Description of Public

Participation ActivitiesCommunity Partnerships RC&D initiated a public input process to ensure that the Area Plan is responsiveto the diverse communities in the primary five (5) county region. The RC&D developed a process to

obtain public input into the Area Plan.

The process is as follows:

Develop survey: 2010 2014 Regional Planning Survey.

Seek public input through public meetings and office visits.

Compile public input.

Board Retreat to review input and develop five (5) year Area Plan.

Compile all information and complete draft plan.

Board to comment on draft plan.

Submit final plan to USDA for approval.

Community Partnerships RC&D sought input from citizens in all five primary counties during 2008 and2009. There were a total of 13 public meetings in February, April, May, and June of 2009. Additionally,the survey was available in the Community Partnerships RC&D office for office visitors to fill out as wellas distributed at grant workshops. The survey gathered both qualitative and quantitative data.

Survey

Input was gathered on both opportunities and challenges. The survey started by focusing on the positiveaspects of the region.

The first question was a qualitative question asking participants to write down what they love about thecommunity. The many wonderful comments about what people love about their community highlight thevalue of positive thinking. The surveys were a testament to the uniqueness and beauty of the CommunityPartnerships RC&D Area. The human and other natural resources were emphasized by nearly everyone.

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A sampling of the answers to what do you love about the community were:

People who help the community

People who focus on the positive

People

Friendliness

Willingness of people to help each other

Small and everyone knows each other Small towns

Sense of community

Members are active in engaging in and supporting localevents

Ability to make changes

Opportunity to be significant

Simplicity

Safety

Relaxed lifestyle

Vibrant arts community

Folk arts

My job

Diversity

Uniqueness

Beauty

History

Beauty of historic buildings

Cost of living

Rural but close to major metropolitan areas

Access to everything healthcare, arts, recreation

Outdoor entertainment opportunities abundant Clear night skies

Scenery

Natural Resources

Rivers and creeks

Mountains

Biological diversity

Hiking trails

Agricultural base

Agricultural traditions

Quality of life

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Citizens ranked their top five (5) priorities. With a total of 79 completed surveys the followingpriorities are listed by total number of votes. The votes are followed by the four required NRCS Elementsthat they correspond to:

Priorities Required Element

Arts and Culture (22) Community Development

Buy Fresh/Buy Local (17) Land Management

Education (17) Community Development

Downtown Revitalization (16) Community Development

Employment (16) Community Development

Energy (15) Land Management

Historic Preservation (13) Community Development

Sustainable Agriculture (12) Land Management

Tourism (12) Community Development

Volunteerism (12) Community Development

Community Development (11) Community Development

Aging Population (10) Community Development

Water Quality (10) Water Management Economic Diversity (9) Community Development

Health/Wellness (9) Community Development

Housing (9) Community Development

Lack of Higher Education Facilities (9) Community Development

Community/Nonprofit Networking (7) Community Development

Drugs/Alcohol (7) Community Development

Healthy Communities (7) Community Development

Suburban Sprawl (7) Community Development

Sustainable Communities (7) Community Development

Dental Care (6) Community Development

Leadership Development (5) Community Development

Native Plants/Invasive Species (5) Land Management

Water Quantity (5) Water Management

Entrepreneur Needs (4) Community Development

Appreciation (3) Community Development

Domestic Violence (3) Community Development

Transportation (3) Community Development

Grant Writing/Funding Searches (2) Community Development

Homeland Security (2) Community Development

Rural Fire Protection (2) Community Development Air Quality (1) Land Management

Riparian Buffers (1) Water Management

Filling the voids and finding the niches is the forte of Community Partnerships RC&D. There arecertainly other challenges in the region. Other groups are addressing some of them, while others may nothave been captured at the public meetings. It has always been the priority of Community PartnershipsRC&D to fill niches and not duplicate efforts by others.

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Annual Community Partnerships RC&D board retreats keep vision, mission, and goals focused oncurrent issues. Current economic conditions and energy challenges are far different in 2010 than theywere during the development of the last Area Plan.

Required Elements

Land Conservation - Erosion and Sediment ControlStrong conservation districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(DCNR), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Association of SustainableAgriculture (PASA), the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and others are already activelyworking to conserve natural resources. Community Partnerships RC&D supports existing programs anddoes not wish to duplicate efforts. Where resources permit, Community Partnerships RC&D will workspecifically to support organizations and efforts that address the following challenges and opportunities:

Sustainable agriculture

Buy fresh buy local

Value added/asset-based development

Rotational grazing Family farms

Community supported agriculture

Farm management

Native species

Invasive species

Habitat management

Sustainable forests

Watershed management

Community Partnerships RC&D will provide support in the form of grant administration and resourcenetworking for projects that fit within the councils vision, mission, purpose, and philosophies.

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Buy Fresh, Buy Local

Land Management - Energy Conservation, Land-Use, Farmland Protection, Fish andWildlife Habitat Protection

Strong conservation districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(DCNR), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Association of SustainableAgriculture (PASA), the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission,

and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are already actively working to promote properland management. Community Partnerships RC&D willwork to support existing programs as not to duplicateefforts. Where resources permit, Community PartnershipsRC&D will work specifically to support organizations andefforts that address the following challenges andopportunities:

Community supported agriculture

Sustainable energy (solar, wind, geothermal,

sustainable biomass) Sustainable communities

1. Asset based development (economicgardening)

2. Downtown revitalization3. Trails, walking paths, bikeways, riverwalks, etc.4. Community gardens5. Healthy communities/walkable communities(healthcare, exercise)

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Water Management - Conservation, Use, and Quality of Water

Strong conservation districts, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(DCNR), the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania Association of SustainableAgriculture (PASA), the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Consortium of Scientists AssistingWatersheds (C-SAW), Pennsylvania Cleanways, Pennsylvania Geological Survey, U.S. GeologicalSurvey and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) are already actively working to promote

proper water management. Additionally, active watershed groups are emerging to specifically addresswater management. Community Partnerships RC&D will work to support existing programs as not toduplicate efforts. Where resources permit, Community Partnerships RC&D will work specifically tosupport organizations and efforts that address the following challenges and opportunities:

Watershed management

River walks

River towns

Tourism/Recreation

Detailed geological and hydrological mapping

Litter

Roadside and toxic dumping Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs)

Habitat destruction

Wellhead protection

Wastewater management

Invasive species

Point and non-point source pollution

Penns Creek

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Community Development - Leadership Development, Community Education, ResourceNetworking, Partnerships, Empowerment of Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Municipalities, Agencies,andIndividuals.

A partial list of some of the organizations that the RC&D council has worked with for communitydevelopment are the Small Business Administration (SBA), Susquehanna Economic Development

Administration Council of Government (SEDA-COG), Penn State University, Department of Communityand Economic Development (DCED), Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA),Chambers of Commerce, Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation (MCIDC), Bucknell andPenn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Downtown Centers, and USDA RuralDevelopment.

Community Partnerships RC&D addresses many of the following challenges and opportunities bymaintaining the Community Partnerships RC&D Center.

Leadership development1. AmeriCorps2. Out-migration of youth

3. Junior Achievement4. Interns5. Leadership Workshops6. Capacity Building Workshops7. Grant

Workshops

Education

Diversity Vibrant downtowns

Maintain current businesses

Encourage new businesses

Refurbish housing

Absentee landlords

Importance of the Arts, Culture, Folk Arts

Arts and Other Community Festivals

Cultural resources1. Covered bridges

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Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge2. Barns3. Historic

preservation4. Family

farms

Youth empowerment1. Junior Achievement

2. RC&D board members3. Internships4. Community responsibility

Social Issues1. Bully problem2. Drug and alcohol abuse3. Employment

4. Retraining Housing

Repopulate downtowns

Refurbish buildings

Aging Population1. Experience Works2. Volunteer base3. Endowments

Small business1. Asset based development2. Economic gardening3. Entrepreneurship4. Revolving loan fund

Community Organizations/Resources/Sustainable Nonprofit Organizations1. Cooperation to solve turf battles2. Partnerships to strengthen efforts3. Lack of philanthropic organizations4. Capacity building5. Leadership development6. Lack of fundraising and proposal writing experience7. Access to resources8. Grant worship lack of creativity

Limited funding sources

Grant writing

Dedicated resources

Limit creativity trapped in the Box

Grant administration

Reporting requirements

Auditing and accounting

Long term maintenance

Funding resources

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Healthy communities1. Health care2. Exercise3. Walkable communities4. Get people outdoors

Regional/Community Planning

Billboard blight

Unsightly cheap buildings

Sprawl

Highways

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A Barn that is Part of a Quilt Trail

Tourism, Recreation, and Entertainment1. Marketing or region2. Sense of Place3. Pride in Community

(Region)4. Trails and walking

paths

5. Community gardens6. Quilt trails7. Enjoyment and

appreciation ofoutdoors

8. Bikeways9. Rivers boating,

fishing, etc.10. Shopping11. Parks12. Over utilization

(compaction anddestruction)

Safety1. Fire protection2. Law enforcement3. Homeland Security4. Emergency medical assistance

Infrastructure

Aesthetics/Beauty/Architecture1. Function over form mentality2. Deteriorating towns

3. Billboard blight4. Light pollution5. Town and countryside beautification

QuickTime and a

TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

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Billboard Blight

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Beautiful North Main Street in Lewistown

V. Imminent Focus

The challenges and opportunities addressed in the previous section are overwhelming and not entirelycomprehensive of the areas that Community Partnerships RC&D serves. With the combined expertiseof the council, board, and staff, certain issues are most effectively addressed by Community

Partnerships RC&D and will be the primary focus of the RC&D for the next five years.

Asset-Based (Home Grown) Business

Under the broad label of asset-based business, the Community Partnerships RC&D focuses oncommunity development by promoting the arts, empowering local entities, and encouragingsustainable farms and other small businesses. Asset-based development is a concept that promotescommunity pride, appreciation, and responsibility. Likewise, many of the specific challenges andopportunities detailed in the above section are accurately addressed by assuming asset-based businessas a guiding force in community development planning.

Furthermore, the Community Partnerships RC&D Council believes that the most effective communitydevelopment efforts are implemented by utilizing skills and resources already found in a region. For

example, Community Partnerships RC&D has partnered with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey togeologically map in the valleys and ridges of central Pennsylvania. This mapping defines both the localinfrastructure as well as the physical assets within the region.

Community Partnerships RC&D CenterCommunity Partnerships RC&D continually seeks to more effectively assist organizations, individuals,businesses, and municipalities in identifying potential asset-based resources. To become anincreasingly visible and viable part of the community, Community Partnerships RC&D purchased abuilding in downtown Lewistown that serves as a community resource center. By opening theCommunity Partnerships RC&D Center,

the council, board, and staff, are able tostrengthen the region from the inside.

In the spirit of community andconservation, the Community PartnershipsRC&D Center is located in a historicsection of downtown Lewistown. TheCommunity Partnerships RC&D Center islocated in an area where we can be anactive and visible part of the community.Since Community Partnerships RC&D isstriving to invite new business to the

community, we feel that we must do ourpart. People move into (and stay) in acommunity for landscape beauty,architecture, history, and quality of life.

As an RC&D council, we feel it is necessary to actively work to improve landscape beauty andarchitecture to improve the sustainability and viability of the community. The Community PartnershipsRC&D Center is located in downtown Lewistown, Pennsylvania. The building holds historicalsignificance and embodies Community Partnerships RC&D goals of strong downtowns, historicpreservation, historic preservation, and sustainable development.

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An important component of conservation and community is the use of quality, natural buildingmaterials. On a subtler, but no less important level, wireless Internet availability in the downtown areafurther encourages energy and resource conservation. As a partner with NRCS, we are proud to do ourpart to have a positive impact on the landscape.

The Community Partnerships Resource Center acts as a community hub for local artist promotion,small business training and resources, grant resources and assistance, leadership training, and more aswe continually assess our community impact and the changing community needs. Through acooperative effort with Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce,Penn State Small Business Development Center, Downtown Lewistown, Inc. and CommunityPartnerships RC&D, the Community Partnerships Resource Center has evolved into, and will continueto serve as a community resource center that offers assistance to organizations who are seeking toactively improve their communities.

By partnering with the above organizations, the RC&D complements, not duplicates, the servicesalready provided by arts organizations, small business development centers, downtown centers andother nonprofits and agencies.

Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA)

ProgramStatistics show that there is a strong link between healthycommunities and active arts organizations. The promotion andappreciation of the arts and culture enriches communities andopens doors for community growth unlike many other disciplines.

Community Partnerships RC&D has been fortunate in establishinga longstanding partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on theArts as a partner in the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA)Program. Through this program, state arts funding is available on aregional level to organizations and individuals who may otherwise

have had little chance at receiving state arts funding. It has alsobeen a valuable program for the RC&D councils growth andrecognition. Community Partnerships RC&D will work tostrengthen the existing partnership with the Pennsylvania Councilon the Arts by improving the quality of the RC&Dsadministration of the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA)Program process each year.

Dance Performers

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Grant Management and AdministrationArea organizations are continually seeking funding to support community-based projects. There aremany services that Community Partnerships RC&D can offer organizations. However, one of the mostvaluable services is often grant management and administration. As an RC&D council that has beenmanaging grants for many years, Community Partnerships RC&D continues to focus on grantmanagement and administration to promote community and Council sustainability.

Grant Workshop

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VI. Goals, Objectives, Strategies

SMARTER Goals:The Area Plan checklist in the National RC&D manual mandates the use of SMART (Specific,Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Tangible) Goals, Objectives, and Strategies. Community

Partnerships RC&D wishes to go beyond simply using the SMART goals, objectives, and strategiesand make them SMARTER. Community Partnerships RC&D will Evaluate and Re-do goals asnecessary.

Goals cannot be set in stone and must be regularly evaluated. Changes in community challenges,opportunities, staff, volunteer availability, resources, and focus will be continually evaluated. Aftercareful regular evaluation, Community Partnerships RC&D will re-do goals based on needs andresources.

Goal 1: Community ImprovementEmpower at least 100 community members per year to actively improve the community. (Community

Development)

Objectives:

Re-grant state arts funding to at least 10 grantees per year.

Provide resources, facilitation, and training for at least 20 community members per year.

Provide access to Community Partnerships RC&D 501(c)(3) status to organizations whosemission is consistent with that of the RC&D.

Provide grant administration assistance to at least 2 other entities per year.

Assist with job creation and retention for at least 20 locally established businesses per year.

Strategies: Provide at least one (1) grant writing seminars per year per county.

Assist community members with grant resources (15 yearly).

Host at least one (1) leadership workshop by 2014.

Host at least one (1) grant writing workshop per year.

Support at least five (5) community festivals per year.

Coordinate and host Great Chip Drop annually. (Event promoting community and an alcoholfree New Years Eve).

Facilitate annual training for at least 20 agencies, organizations, small businesses, andindividuals.

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Goal 2: Natural Resources and Community SustainabilityPromote and showcase at least five (5) natural resources projects per year in order to enhancecommunity sustainability. (Land Management and Water Management)

Objectives:

Promote sustainable agriculture, farmers markets, Buy Fresh Buy Local, and community-supported agriculture by participating in at least three (3) events per year.

Enhance tourism (heritage, ecotourism, agritoursim, etc.) by participating in at least three (3)events per year.

Promote and support projects that highlight the natural beauty of the community (architecture,landscapes, murals, etc.) by hosting at least one (1) event per year.

Support strong downtown centers by putting on at least one (1) community event per year.

Showcase community through promoting at least ten (10) community events per year.

Strategies:

Conduct at least two (2) energy audits per year.

Encourage installation of at least one (1) rotational grazing system per year

Conduct yearly weed and wildlife management program

Encourage installation of at least one (1) rain garden per year.

Market at least three (3) rain-barrels per year.

Put on at least one (1) community event to train citizens about critical environmental issuessuch as: benefits of using native species, destruction caused by invasive species, runoff control,groundwater recharge, sustainable agriculture, etc.

Participate in at least one (1) activity which specifically highlights watershed and clean waterappreciation (i.e. River Sojourn).

Conducting Field Research for the Weed and Wildlife Program

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Goal 3: Sense of Place and Creative CommunityPromote a sense of place and a creative community through cultural and heritage enrichment andeducation for at least 100 community members per year. (Community Development and LandConservation)

Objectives:

Increase access to the arts by putting on at least one (1) art seminar per year in each county. Encourage historic and cultural preservation by educating people in each county about

Pennsylvania Humanities grants (in conjunction with above seminars a minimum of one percounty per year).

Promote community acceptance and sensitivity by hosting at least one (1) community event peryear.

Instill community values and a sense of responsibility in youth at events mentioned above. Atleast two (2) community events per year.

Promote local artists by updating and maintaining a roster of current folk and other artists (inconjunction with above seminars a minimum of one per county per year).

Strengthen artist community/network by conducting yearly seminars as mentioned in the first

bullet above.

Establish at least one (1) Quilt Trail to promote agriculture, tourism, and community by 2012.

Strategies

Administer the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts Program yearly (including NorthumberlandCounty, too)

Administer and act as regional Folk Arts Partner yearly (including Northumberland County,also)

Develop one (1) Quilt Trail to encourage tourism and regional appreciation.

Host at least one (1) sensitivity workshop/training in the next five years.

Teach at least two (2) Junior Achievement sessions per year Host annual arts awards ceremony for at least 40 participants.

Exhibit local artists work at two (2) events per year.

Maintain and update local folk artist registry.

Host at least one (1) Goose Day Celebration in the next 5 years.

Host at least one (1) community event to highlight cultural heritage.

Host yearly open house at the Community Partnerships RC&D Center for at least 50 people.

The Inspiration For Goose Day

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Goal 5: Leadership Development and Capacity BuildingIn order to support a strong community, the Community Partnerships RC&D will work to maintaincouncil sustainability and development. To this end Community Partnerships RC&D will hold eventsand develop strong leaders though 2015 (and far beyond). (Community Development)

Objectives:

Maintain strong, involved board and leadership development by having one (1) annual meetingper year and other meetings as necessary to conduct business.

Maintain two (2) Community Partnerships RC&D Council employees, at a minimum.

Continue annual partnerships and compliance including the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts(PPA), Pennsylvania Cultural Alliance, and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Conduct yearly audit or financial review (based on OMB Circular 133).

Secure dedicated, individual, corporate, and nonprofit council support from at least fifteen (15)entities per year.

Maintain strong finances and reserve in conjunction with yearly financial review.

Maintain operational Community Partnerships office yearly.

Promote council development and growth by selecting a diversity of council/board membersannually (from at least four (4) areas of expertise).

Strategies:

Host frequent board trainings. At least one (1) per year.

Hold an annual board retreat.

Certify standards of excellence to become a member of the National RC&D Circle ofDiamonds by 2012.

Conduct sound financial planning and yearly budgeting and financial review.

Involve all board members in annual community based fundraising.

Perform grant management for other community organizations. At least one (1) per year. Maintain the annual NRCS rental agreement.

Put on orientation for each new board and staff member, at least one (1) per year.

Have at least three (3) board or council members at RC&D supported events.

Assure that all board members pay annual dues.

Involve at least five (5) supplemental staff members per year (Interns, Experience Works,AmeriCorps, volunteers, etc).

Conduct yearly drive to find dedicated new board members.

Investigate feasibility of Gifts in Kind program by 2015.

Hold phenomenal Twentieth Anniversary Celebration (2012) for at least 50 community

members.

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VII. Organizational Partnerships

Community Partnerships RC&D has always sought effective partnerships to accomplish communitygoals. The RC&D council will continue to strengthen existing partnerships while working to establish

new connections. A partial list of partners is as follows: AmeriCorps

Area Agencies on Aging

Arts Councils

Borough Managers

Banks

Businesses

Center for Rural Pennsylvania

Chambers of Commerce

Children and Youth Services

Colleges and Universities

Conservation Districts

Cooperative Extension

County Commissioners

Downtown partnerships

Farmers Associations and Bureau

Federal Legislators

Fire Companies

Hospitals

Industrial Development Corporations

Intermediate Units Libraries

Newspapers

Nonprofits

Planning Commissions

Professional Organizations

Pennsylvania Rural Development Council

Small Business Development Centers

State Agencies

State Legislators

Susquehanna Economic Development Association Council of Governments

(SEDA-COG)

Township Supervisors

USDA Agencies including (but not limited to):

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)

USDA Forest Service

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA Rural Development

Visitors Bureaus

Volunteer Networks

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VII. Linkages to the Natural Resources Conservation Service

(NRCS) Strategic Plan

The NRCS is one of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies that support the

RC&D program nationally. The NRCS Strategic Plan 2005 2010 supports the RC&D program.

The NRCS Strategic Plan has three (3) guiding principles: service, partnership, and technicalexcellence. This plan ties into those principles in the following ways:

ServiceCommunity Partnerships RC&D focuses on service to the community through all citizens and avenues.Healthy communities, healthy landscapes, and healthy economies are intricately interwoven. In orderto drive business to the region, vibrant towns and attractive landscapes are essential. Input fromcitizens is gathered on a daily basis.

Hard data was drawn from the Community Partnerships RC&D Regional Planning Survey and otherplanning documents. The other planning documents included Human Service Needs Assessments andthe Greenways, Open Space and Rural Recreation Plan.

PartnershipThe motto of Community Partnerships RC&D is: Pride in Community Partnerships in Action.Partnerships are the motivation for the name and motto.

Technical ExcellenceThe board and staff of the RC&D are composed of technical experts from many fields: agriculture,

natural resources, arts, culture, leadership, grant-writing, teaching, literature, networking, planning,community, and many more.

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AHealthy Pasture due toProductive Soils

Community Partnerships RC&D/NRCS Mission Goals LinksEach of Community Partnerships RC&D Goals impacts all of the NRCS Mission Goals in one way oranother. Specific Community Partnerships RC&D Objectives are listed under each of the NRCSMission Goals.

High Quality, Productive Soils Provide resources, facilitation, and training for at least 20 community members per year.

Promote sustainable agriculture, farmers markets, buy fresh buy local, and community-supported agriculture by participating in at least three (3) events per year.



Increase sustainable land use.

Promote watershed/water quality.

Continue process of geologic mapping at least one (1) topographic quadrangle per year viaPennsylvania Geologic Survey.

Promote energy conservation/sustainable energy via at least one (1) energy audits or workshopsper year.

Promote and support natural resourceprojects that utilize native vegetation on atleast three (3) sites per year.

Educate public at a minimum of five (5)seminars per year about: native andinvasive species, energy conservation,green lifestyles, rain gardens, rain barrels,

etc. Promote biomass as an energy solution

only if done in a sustainable manor (lowinput, minimal erosion, petro-chemicalfree, perennial etc).

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Artificially Created Wetlands at

Zooks Dam

Clean and Abundant Water

Implement rural fire protection program.




Promote and support projects that highlightthe natural beauty of the community.(architecture, landscapes, murals, etc.) byhosting at least one (1) event per year.



Continue process of geologic mapping at leastone (1) topographic quadrangle per year viaPennsylvania Geologic Survey.

Promote energy conservation/sustainableenergy via at least one (1) energy audits orworkshops per year.

Promote and support natural resourceprojects that utilize native vegetation on atleast three (3) sites per year.

Educate public at a minimum of five (5)seminars per year about: native and invasive species, energy conservation, green lifestyles, raingardens, rain barrels, etc.

Promote biomass as an energy solution only if done in a sustainable manor (low input, minimalerosion, petro-chemical free, perennial etc).

Healthy Plant and Animal Communities

Promote community acceptance and sensitivity by hosting at least one (1) community event peryear.

Instill community values and a sense of responsibility in youth at event mentioned above.



Enhance tourism (heritage, ecotourism, agritoursim,

etc.) by participating in at least three (3) events peryear.

Promote and support projects that highlight thenatural beauty of the community (architecture,landscapes, murals, etc.) by hosting at least one (1)event per year.




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Turkeys On the Edge of aForest

Continue process of geologic mapping at least one(1) topographic quadrangle per year via PennsylvaniaGeologic Survey.

Promote and support natural resource projects thatutilize native vegetation on at least three (3) sites per year.

Educate public at a minimum of five (5) seminars per year about: native and invasive species,energy conservation, green lifestyles, rain gardens, rain barrels, etc.

Promote biomass as an energy solution only if done in a sustainable manor (low input, minimalerosion, petro-chemical free, perennial etc).

Clean Air








Promote and support natural resource projects that utilize native vegetation on at least three (3)sites per year.


Promote projects that enhance clear night skies and reduce and eliminate light pollution.

Clear Skies Over a Beautiful Lake

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An Adequate Energy Supply

Promote projects that enhance clear night skies and reduce and eliminate light pollution.




Promote watershed/water quality. Continue process of geologic mapping at least one (1) topographic quadrangle per year via

Pennsylvania Geologic Survey.


Promote and support natural resource projects that utilize native vegetation on at least three (3)sites per year.


A Full Moon on a Clear Night

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Working Farm and Ranch Lands (and Connected Landscapes)

Re-grant state arts fund

Documents

Community Partnerships RC&D Area Plan 2010