Since our founding in 1964, by Congress through the Food and Agriculture Act of 1962, WesMin Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, the oldest RC&D in the nation, has contributed to improving the quality of life for the diverse populations and resources in the 14 counties that we serve (Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Todd, Wadena, Wilken, Cass, Crow Wing, East & West Ottertail, Morrison, Stevens, and Traverse Counties). Today, WesMin RC&D is nationally respected, for its work in natural resource conservation & education and for developing new industry and opportunities for the residents of rural Minnesota .  

The RC&D program is one of the most unique and effective programs that our government has ever created.  President John F. Kennedy could clearly see the vast differences in resources and opportunities that faced rural America .  It was with the Presidents vision that RC&D was created; and it is the visions of our people that make RC&D strong today. There are currently 375 RC&D areas in the nation with additional RC&D areas being added annually.  

WesMin RC&D is unique and successful because of our collaborative efforts and the many partners that we work with.  WesMin RC&D is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization however, WesMin RC&D is also a local-federal partnership. The federal government (United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resource Conservation Service) provides the office space, an RC&D Coordinator and an Office Assistant. The local people provide the ideas and the willingness to implement them. The WesMin RC&D Council is made up of local leaders from each of the 14 counties.

All programs and assistance of RC&D are available without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.