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

  • GA-House Passes Budget-151029 House Passes 2-year Budget Deal, Promises to Reverse Cuts to Crop Insurance

    Oct 29, 2015

    Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015 which raised the debt ceiling until March 2017 and increased federal spending by $80 billion over two years. Fortunately for agriculture, the previously reported $3 billion cut to federal crop insurance will be reversed during the Appropriations process later this fall. Full story
  • Target with Arrows Crop Insurers Targeted in Budget Deal

    Oct 27, 2015

    Tomorrow, Congress is expected to take up a two-year budget bill in an effort to avert a government shutdown and raise the debt ceiling. The deal would increase federal spending by $80 billion over two years and raise the federal borrowing limit through 2017. However, $3 billion in cuts to the federal crop insurance program were included as an offset. Full story
  • GA-EQIP-Sign-up-Deadline,-MO-rice-field-151022 One Month Left for EQIP Sign-up in Louisiana and Missouri

    Oct 22, 2015

    Rice farmers in Louisiana and Missouri have less than one month to submit applications for the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This EQIP sign-up period, specifically designated for farmers who regularly grow rice, is part of the USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. Applications should be submitted to local NRCS field offices no later than November 20, 2015. Full story