Conservation Stewardship Program available in all six rice states

Rice producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts have until March 2 to apply for a special Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) led by the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership. Josh Hankins, USA Rice director of grower relations, says the Natural Resources Conservation Service has updated the Sustaining the Future of Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to help producers better evaluate their conservation options and the benefits to their operations and natural resource. “Partnership staff can help producers determine whether they are meeting stewardship thresholds, and allow for customization of practices and enhancements that work for their conservation objectives,” Hankins says.  These tools also enable producers to see potential payment scenarios for conservation early in the process.” The program is available in all six rice states: Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Those interested in CSP should contact their local USDA service center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. To see a list of eligible counties and parishes, click here.