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For Immediate Release – November 18, 2003Contact - Harold Alford (785) 271-2701 |
National Rural Development Partnership Council
Meetings Held In Kansas
City
Topeka, KS – USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks participated in the National Rural Development Partnership (NRDP) meetings recently held in Kansas City. Kansas Rural Development Council Executive Director Steve Bittel also attended the professional development conference.
This NRDP conference focused on several important issues including the strategic roles for the Councils, improving marketing skills, and results-oriented work plans. The workshop sessions allowed participants the opportunity to learn and share strategies on how to become more effective Councils.
“A great deal was accomplished at the workshop to strengthen the Partnership and the individual councils. It is vitally important that we work together to leverage our resources to increase economic opportunities, improve the quality of life, and be responsible to the needs of rural America,” said Luis A. Luna, USDA Deputy Administrator for Community Development.
The conference was an interactive learning experience for over 120 participants, including representatives from 40 State Rural Development Councils and 9 USDA Rural Development State Directors.
The NRDP and state rural development councils work to improve the quality of life in rural America through forming new and innovative partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector. The Partnership was established by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.
USDA Rural Development in Kansas provides support to the Kansas Rural Development Council in promoting common goals to advance rural development efforts across the state. USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for rural Americans.
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