February 23, 2005

 

VERONA, VA – Anyone interested in sustainable agriculture in the Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Area is invited to attend a moderated session on how to spend $50,000 donated to that effort locally.  The session will be held Thursday morning March 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Rockingham County Government Center in the Board of Supervisors room.

The Shenandoah RC&D Area includes: the counties of Augusta, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren; and the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and Winchester.  Jayne Seminare Docherty, Eastern Mennonite University faculty member and consultant with the Institute for Justice and Peacebuilding at EMU, will moderate the session and involve students in EMU’s Conflict Transformation program.

The Shenandoah RC&D Council has received a $50,000 grant from the Agua Fund for projects in Virginia’s Shenandoah River watershed that support its rural economic base, with a special emphasis on sustainable agriculture.  The Shenandoah RC&D invites public input on how to best utilize these funds for their intended purpose.  This will include funding some pending Council projects, as well as new project ideas that may be proposed.  Ideas for projects should address concerns affecting agriculture throughout the Valley, rather than requests to assist specific individuals.

The Shenandoah RC&D Council is a locally-directed non-profit organization that promotes economic growth and environmental quality.  It sets area goals and objectives, and brings together partners, technical assistance and financial resources to complete projects to meet its goals and objectives.

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