On the Horizon
The NRDP is undergoing a transformation. In May 2002, NRDP encountered the largest change in its existence: Congressional authorization in the 2002 Farm Bill. In this legislation, NRDP was, for the first time in 12 years, recognized and encouraged to continue its work and authorized for an appropriation of $10 million. The Farm Bill charges the NRDP to "empower and build the capacity of States and rural communities to design flexible and innovative responses to their own special rural development needs, with local determinations of progress and selection of projects and activities.”
The Farm Bill also changes the structure of the NRDP slightly. Specifically, the Farm Bill authorizes the NRDP to be composed of two bodies: the National Rural Development Coordinating Committee (NRDCC) and 50 State Rural Development Councils (SRDCs). It also allows for the formation of a Governing Panel composed of representatives from both the NRDCC and SRDCs.
The new NRDP is committed to the same ideals of the old, that through cooperation and collaboration the goal of improving the quality of life in rural America can be achieved.
2007 Farm Bill
