St. Louis - The Great Plains RC&D has been named the Outstanding RC&D Council in the six state region of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The award was presented during the Southwest States RC&D Association annual meeting and banquet on March 4th at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel. The Great Plains RC&D was also asked to make a presentation at the conference on several of their ongoing projects under the title of "The Joy of Eating and Living Well."

The Council was recognized for their balanced approach to projects with social, economic, and environmental purposes in response to local priority concerns by building local working relationships for conserving and developing natural resources that enhance the quality of life in the RC&D area communities.

The Great Plains RC&D has been an instrumental partner or organizer in several major projects that address their three priority concerns: soil quality, economic resources, and water resources.

Their many projects have included organizing no-till conferences, assisting with establishment of ethanol plants, explored options for utilization of biomass, assisted with the location of a 147 MegaWatt wind farm, with 98 wind turbines providing income to area farmers. Additionally, they have developed a Farm-to-School program that provides a nutritious source of locally grown 100% whole wheat flour and pizza crust to local schools. They are also hosting the Fifth Annual Statewide Women in Agriculture and Small Business Conference.

The Great Plains RC&D was also an instrumental partner in the development of the Great Plains Trail Scenic Drive Map, which was developed to outline each loop in detail, including terrain, types of wildlife in the area, and lodging along the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma.

The annual conference was well attended by RC&D council member volunteers from all six states. Success stories were shared from many of the councils in the various breakout sessions held during the two days of the conference.