The Butler County Extension Council has identified community and economic development as an important issue for the extension service. It has been for many years. This year a 5^th Rural Development Club has returned to operation. Gilstrap Rural Development Club is now participating in the Extension Rural Development Program.  The 5 Rural Development clubs functioning here are a great example of a program that works to address rural issues. The Rural Development Program in Butler County has beef functioning for 61 consecutive years. Clubs that have monthly meetings. Average attendance at these meetings is 20-25. Each of the 5 rural development clubs has a community building that they maintain. These buildings are used for a wide variety of activities each year. Educational programs are presented at each monthly meeting. The topics of these programs are determined by the membership, and club members secure presenters. Each club has elected leadership and functioning committees. At the 2018 Annual Meeting cub presidents reported raising over $25,000 to support themselves and community organizations. This year the clubs have improved their community centers, held road-side clean up projects, supported project prom, sent children to 4-H camp, financially supported local fire departments, support cancer research and families dealing with cancer, maintained cemeteries, held candidate forums, and many other beneficial activities. Rural Development Club Leaders are some of the most active in our community. This program is currently developing its third generation of community leaders.