MOUNTAIN HOME, TX – 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 women and men who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice launched a Sustainability Award in 2018 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 Mark Isbell, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee. “While sustainability is at the forefront of most industries, it has been an integral part of the mindset of the U.S. rice industry for decades.”
Last year’s USA Rice Sustainability Award went to Riceland Food’s Ingrain Good Sustainability Program. This program has created, vetted, and implemented the Riceland Carbon Ready™ Program to develop new market opportunities for climate-smart practices. Through this program, sustainability is no longer a buzzword; it’s a driver of innovation in agriculture, creating new opportunities and a brighter future.
The award committee is now accepting nominations through October 10, and the award will be presented at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans on December 8, 2025.
The application form can be found
here.