POPLAR BLUFF, MO – Missouri and Illinois rice producers have until Friday, March 22, 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 Missouri counties include Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Ripley, Scott, and Stoddard. Alexander County is the eligible site in Illinois.
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.
Applications, sign-up periods, and other information can be found at
www.usarice.com/climate-smart.