Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Rural Development Association has been impacting the lives of Butler County citizens since 1957.  The concept of the Rural Development Program was that people working together could accomplish much more than working as a bunch of individuals.  The concept proved to be true and it continues to be true today. 

We have four Rural Development clubs that are active in Butler County - Provo, Little Muddy, Big Bend, and Reedyville.  These clubs maintain a meeting facility and meet monthly.  At monthly meetings the clubs have a short educational program about various topics that affect member's lives.  There is also a business meeting each month were clubs discuss issues that affect their area, community service projects, or current events.  The club meetings are part social, part leadership and community development, and part entertainment.  All club activities are about community capacity.  The clubs have the capacity to educate, do service projects, provide facilities for activities, support charity, and so much more.  Some of their past successes include:  extending phone service, water lines, rural roads, building fairgrounds, helping establish the Morgantown City Park, improving drainage of farmland, and much more. 

The rural development program is administered by the Cooperative Extension Service.  They welcome visitors and new club members to their organization.  The need for community development activities in our county has never been higher.  If you would like to get involved, stop by the Extension Office or email [email protected] for more information, or go to a club meeting: 

•    Reedyville RD meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 – Reedyville RD Center 
•    Provo RD meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 – Provo RD Center
•    Little Muddy RD meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 – Little Muddy RD Center
•    Big Bend RD meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30 – Big Bend RD Center

If you are looking for a way to get involved in our community the Rural Development Association is a great way to make that happen. For more information, contact the Butler County Extension Office at 112 E GL Smith Street, Morgantown, or call 270-526-3767.

    Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.

By: Greg Drake II, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources