The Council may undertake any activity that addresses issues and concerns of rural areas of the State as long as the activity is not inconsistent with provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the National Rural Development Partnership and state rural development councils, 7 U.S.C. § 2008m. The Council may: maintain a principal office at a location in the central region of the State that is accessible to the rural public; employ, as regular employees or as independent contractors, staff that the Council considers necessary in accordance with the Council budget; enter into contracts; accept grants and other assistance from the federal government, other units of State government, local governments, or a private source; and do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its purpose.