USA Rice Sustainability Task Force Chair Jennifer James

WASHINGTON, DC -- The USA Rice Federation welcomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement today of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) details and is preparing to submit a proposal for a national rice industry partnership under RCPP.

"Today marks the start of what our industry believes will be an exciting new chapter in working lands conservation that can benefit rice lands, waterfowl habitat, and water resources, three critical resources throughout the U.S.," said Betsy Ward, president and CEO of USA Rice. "We greatly appreciate the quick work of USDA officials and staff to move forward with implementation of RCPP in such a timely manner and we look forward to working closely with them as we pursue a partnership opportunity for the U.S. rice industry."

In addition to the national and state level options within RCPP, the Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs) announced today cover 95 percent of the rice acres in the U.S.

The 2014 Farm Bill created this new generation conservation initiative, the RCPP, to allow private industry, nonprofits, and other entities to formally partner with USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to help leverage Federal programs and funding with private sector resources.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted "USDA is launching a new era in American conservation efforts."

"USA Rice began laying the groundwork to best position the U.S. rice industry for opportunities like these over a year ago by partnering with a key leader in conservation efforts that shares a common focus on protecting and enhancing rice field habitats - Ducks Unlimited (DU)," said Jeff Durand, a Louisiana rice producer and co-chair of the USA Rice - Ducks Unlimited Stewardship Partnership Committee. "The existing partnership and activities with DU align precisely with the goals and objectives of RCPP and should make for a natural fit in defining and implementing a program for rice producers and landowners under RCPP."

A recently released DU study showed that waterfowl and migratory birds rely heavily on U.S. rice fields for habitat and food, and that the conservation value of those working lands to the birds exceeds $3.5 billion, and that the annual maintenance costs of those lands, currently borne by rice farmers, exceed $70 million.

"The RCPP offers a unique and realistic opportunity for food and agribusiness companies to partner with producers and producer organizations in achieving key sustainability objectives through involvement with this new program," said Jennifer James, an Arkansas rice producer and chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Task Force. "By design, RCPP will rely heavily on non-Federal resources and strategic partners that are willing to help fund 'on the ground' conservation practices, and these activities will result in positive sustainability outcomes. USA Rice will enlist the participation of rice end user companies in the overall RCPP initiative for the U.S. rice industry."

The RCPP will competitively award funds to conservation projects designed by local partners specifically for their region. Eligible partners include private companies, universities, non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments, and others joining with agricultural and conservation organizations and producers to invest money, manpower, and materials to their proposed initiatives.

With participating partners investing along with USDA, the Farm Bill's $1.2 billion in funding over the life of the five-year program can leverage an additional $1.2 billion from partners for a total of $2.4 billion for conservation. $400 million in USDA funding is available in the first year.

Through RCPP, partners propose conservation projects to improve soil health, water quality and water use efficiency, wildlife habitat, and other related natural resources on private lands.

"The future of conservation policy is here, and it's these conservation programs that seek to balance working lands and conservation goals," said Ward. "The U.S. rice industry is ready to lead the charge."

For more program information, resources, and details, please visit the below links from USDA.

Link to video: http://youtu.be/eK2xya2DKoU  

Complete information on RCPP including APF and CCA's. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/farmbill/rcpp/

Contact:  Reece Langley, (703) 236-1471

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