LITTLE ROCK, AR – And they’re off! Texas rice producers have until Friday, March 15, to apply for the Rice Stewardship Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities project. Producers have the option to choose from a variety of management practices and create a contract customized to fit their operation.
All producers with a history of growing rice can apply for this funding pool. Producers that qualify as Historically Underserved (HU) according to NRCS definitions will have a second opportunity to apply for structural and management funds in the coming months. Details on this HU sign-up are still being finalized, but updates will be posted to the website listed below.
Eligible Texas counties include: Austin, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Galveston, Fort Bend, Jackson, Jefferson, Lavaca, Liberty, Matagorda, Victoria, Waller, and Wharton.
Different from previous Rice Stewardship Partnership projects, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is not the primary project administrator. Therefore, applications will need to be submitted online or directly to your partnership staff contact, not to your local NRCS office.
Go
here for applications, signup periods, and more information.
Louisiana’s general sign-up ends this Friday, February 23. The remaining states will announce their sign-ups soon.