Funded through base program. The Department does not have written policy on rural development, which creates some problems in articulating the role of NRCS to states. Since rural development has to be locally defined and since Districts are major players in rural areas, opportunities exist. Many Districts are involved in farmland preservation. However, how to maximize the economic link to the community is not seen.
Conservation is an integral part of social and economic development.
Other efforts need to be tied in such as environmental justice initiatives.