News Release - Mike Roden is Nation’s Outstanding RC&D Coordinator

Auburn, Alabama, March 10, 2005

R. Michael “Mike” Roden, an employee of USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), was recently recognized by the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils as the nation’s Outstanding RC&D Coordinator for 2004, at their annual meeting in Washington, DC. The National Association of RC&D Councils represent 375 Councils from all over the United States. The award is presented to the RC&D Coordinator who shows exceptional innovation, coordination, and outreach in their effort to serve the communities of their area. Roden is Alabama’s first RC&D Coordinator to receive this prestigious award.

The development of local leadership and community pride makes RC&D, coordinated by NRCS, a unique and special program that is beneficial to rural America. RC&D Councils across the nation work to improve resources through diverse activities in local communities, leveraging federal, state, local, and private funds to preserve and protect lands, add value to products, and improve communities. The RC&D program is based on the idea that local people know what their areas need and can create the very solutions that will work for them and their communities. Groups of local volunteers establish RC&D Councils, which represent sponsoring organizations within multi-county region. “The greatest strength of the RC&D program is in the local people working together to solve their own problems.  It’s a pleasure to be associated with these motivated individuals,” says Roden. 

Roden was recognized for his work with the Alabama Mountains, Rivers, and Valleys RC&D Council in Decatur, Alabama.  As a result of his leadership, the Council developed partnerships and coalitions that resulted in the implementation of several novel projects. Of special note was his leadership in coordinating a program to manage poultry house litter. In addition, Roden assisted his Council with a variety of outdoor environmental education efforts, Native American story telling trails, and rural community projects.

Roden, originally from Gadsden, Alabama, resides in Cullman with his wife Tammy and his two children, Lauren, and Zack.

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