Breckenridge Texan

Colton Buckley, executive director of Breckenridge Become, which includes the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, Breckenridge Economic Development Corp., Breckenridge Industrial Foundation and the Breckenridge Improvement Council, has announced his resignation following his acceptance of a position with the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (NARC&DC).

In a media release, the NARC&DC said that at a recent board meeting, the organization’s board of directors unanimously voted to select Buckley as its next national executive director.

“The mission of our organization is to build relationships, cultivate partnerships, and designate resources to enhance the quality of RC&D Councils to provide leadership, education, conservation, and the development of natural and human resources to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of the communities they serve, and there is no individual who is more passionate and talented to hit the ground running to revitalize communities across rural America than Colton,” William Hodge, National Board President, said in the statement.

The RC&D program was established in the Agriculture Act of 1962, with responsibility for the administration of the program placed within the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Successive Farm Bills have provided for the further development of the program, including deepening the partnership between RC&D Councils and the NRCS through partnership agreements and grant funding as RC&D Councils are 501(c)3 non-for-profit corporations. There are over 200 active RC&D Councils across the United States and its territories, according to the media release

Hodge added, “Colton’s background from the fields of Central Texas to the floors of State Legislatures and the halls of Congress are just what we need as we mobilize our network of nonprofits to serve as the face of the future of American agriculture and rural communities in the upcoming Farm Bill. As he has been a former board member and consultant to the organization for quite some time, Colton’s dedication, and enthusiasm for rural economic development, supporting beginning farmers and ranchers, and championing American agriculture is unparalleled.”

“I am honored to be offered this opportunity to take the reins of one of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) oldest and largest non-profit allies as we prioritize programs and opportunities that involve engagement of young, underserved, military veterans, and beginning farmers and ranchers, in addition to urban agriculture initiatives, rural economic development, and human resource development,” Buckley said in the media release.  “Making the decision to depart from my current roles leading the Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Foundation, and Improvement Council was not taken lightly. However, I fully believe that the Lord prepares us sufficiently to take the next step and lead with a greater impact. The opportunity to lead NARC&DC provides a platform at the national level to do some great things and focus on supporting rural communities like Breckenridge, Texas from coast to coast with an array of governmental, corporate, and community partners. While I am sad to leave Texas, I am excited for my next chapter in the Deep South.”

Buckley is the former campaign manager and adviser to Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller and is a former member of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. Buckley has a master’s degree in communication from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in public policy online, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development from Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

In addition to his Breckenridge Become duties, he is also a member of the Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board of Directors and the Texas State Technical College West Texas Council of Advocates. He started at the Breckenridge Economic Development Corp. in April 2021.

His last day in these roles will be June 15.

For more information about the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, visit www.narcdc.org.

Cutline, top photo: Colton Buckley, pictured here announcing the new Breckenridge Become alignment at the annual Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce banquet, has announced his resignation for the local organization. He will be taking a new job with the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

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