The rice industry prides itself on its commitment to the conservation of natural resources and the institution of practices that provide habitat to wetland dependent wildlife and waterfowl. Working lands programs are good for the environment and for rice farmers. The voluntary-incentive based conservation model used by the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has worked well. 

Rice farmers have been able to significantly improve their environmental footprint through practices implemented through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This program has provided rice farmers funds to better manage water resources through irrigation efficiency, water quality, and erosion control. For more information on our work through this program click here.

Recent News

  • Rice being loaded onto a rail car at Southern Louisiana Rail Facility Underreporting of Rice Exports Cause for Concern

    Dec 05, 2017

    In a recent meeting with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), USA Rice members heard an update on export sales reporting - a federal requirement for exporters of specific commodities, including rice. On a weekly basis, exporters are mandated to report any contract for export sales entered into or subsequently modified during the reporting period. Full story
  • Green John Deere combine harvesting rice The Rice Foundation is First-Time Grant Recipient for Risk Management Education Programs

    Nov 27, 2017

    USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) provides funding for organizations in the form of cooperative agreements to provide education and training nationwide. Earlier this year RMA awarded 52 cooperative agreements under the Risk Management Education Partnerships Program, and The Rice Foundation was one of nine first-time award recipients. Full story
  • McKinney USDA's McKinney Emphasizes Finding New Markets for U.S. Ag Products

    Nov 22, 2017

    USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney has stressed the importance of looking for new trading partners in emerging markets, saying the U.S.'s current trading partners alone will not provide the growth in exports required and expected. Full story