MEMPHIS, TN – While insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop’s unique environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice launched a Sustainability Award last year to identify and promote prime examples.
The USA Rice Sustainability Award is open to individuals or entities with significant involvement in the U.S. rice industry and with a history of promoting and advancing sustainability through innovative practices and demonstrated leadership in the sustainability community.
“We are looking for men and women and companies who embody sustainability by their actions and who are willing to share their vision of the future and commitment to the environment with others and help others follow in their footsteps,” said Jennifer James, an Arkansas rice farmer and chairman of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee. “While sustainability is now a buzzword in nearly every industry, the rice industry has been incorporating it for years, and is at the forefront of the sustainability movement.”
Last year’s USA Rice Sustainability Award went to American Commodity Company, a California rice mill that has incorporated sustainability at virtually all levels of their operations. This includes how they use and generate power using solar installations at their milling facility in Williams. They have also made major strides in the areas of water quality, waste reduction, and recycling at their facilities.
The award committee is now accepting nominations through October 25, and the award will be presented at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 9, 2019.
The application form can be found
here.