Jun 25, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC -- At the invitation of House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott (D-GA) and Ranking Member G.T. Thompson (R-PA), Field to Market’s (FTM) Board of Directors provided a briefing to the full committee last week on private sector climate and sustainability efforts in U.S. agriculture. The virtual briefing and roundtable discussion is part of an effort by the Committee to gain a better understanding of climate and sustainability policy opportunities and implications in the current session of Congress.
FTM Board members, including Mark Isbell, a farmer from Humnoke, Arkansas, who represents USA Rice on the FTM board, shared their stories and challenges in the sustainability space. FTM staff also discussed the science-based targets their members are implementing and the metrics provided through the FieldPrint Platform.
According to FTM, the key issues that affect farmer adoption of new conservation practices that advance sustainability outcomes, include financial assistance to implement practices that require up-front investment; access to peer networks to foster shared learning in a safe environment; and robust technical assistance and agronomic advice to ensure new practices are implemented successfully.
While FTM does not take positions on legislative or regulatory matters, they do respond to requests from policymakers to provide information on issues that are relevant to the organization’s mission and goals.
USA Rice is an FTM member and holds a Board of Directors seat representing the grower sector and also participates in the FTM Metrics and Verification Committees.
USA Rice is proud to announce that Matt Morris has been named as one of Field to Market’s 2021 Farmer Spotlight Honorees. Matt is a fifth-generation farmer in Carlisle, Arkansas, whose family operates the oldest rice farm in the state. His outstanding leadership in implementing innovative technologies and water conservation practices on his farm was recognized this week at Field to Market’s virtual plenary and general assembly meeting.
“USA Rice is dedicated to engaging with farmers to advance continuous improvements in sustainable outcomes across the food and agriculture value chain, and we congratulate Matt for his accomplishments in delivering sustainable outcomes for U.S. commodity agriculture,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward.
Stay tuned for a feature piece profiling Matt’s sustainability work on his family's farm later in the year.