WASHINGTON, DC-- Field to Market held its latest Plenary Session here this week with USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited serving as co-sponsors. During the meeting, the future of the organization was discussed.
Specifically, attendees examined the proposed business model that will move the organization forward with a modest financial and staff growth while expanding its influence in the area of sustainability.
The Plenary kicked off with growers sharing ideas from each of their respective commodities on innovative conservation and sustainability practices.
Louisiana rice grower Jeff Durand spoke on behalf of the rice industry and gave advice on how to successfully integrate conservation practices on the farm. Durand also shared his experiences with conservation efforts used in his operation including the unique relationship between rice fields and migratory birds.
"We have to make sure practices being put forward are well researched and can turn a profit," he said.
Field to Market is also moving forward with a rice-specific Fieldprint Calculator and a greenhouse gas metric for rice field outputs.
USA Rice is a voting member of Field to Market and has several rice industry experts participating on many of the organization's workgroups. USA Rice plans to continue to be actively engaged with Field to Market as its rice-specific metrics come to fruition.