From left: Donald Berken, Kevin Norton, Jeff Durand and Randy Jemison

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced four new conservation projects today, two of which will directly benefit the state's rice producers.

"We set out to deliver conservation programs that would work on rice, waterfowl, water quantity, quality, and sustainability, and we've done just that," said Kevin Norton, the NRCS State Conservationist for Louisiana. "This is quite special, bringing big new resources to Louisiana that will translate into real conservation."

The state received approximately $1.5 million for the three state conservation programs, and Norton says the lion's share is going to the Rice Stewardship Program in Southwest Louisiana, proposed collaboratively  by Ducks Unlimited, the Louisiana Rice Growers Association, and others.  That region represents about 70% of rice growing in the state, but rice producers in other areas of the state will be eligible to participate in the national USA Rice-DU RCPP program (see lead story above).

"Rice is good for ducks and conservation is critical," said Alicia Wiseman, Rice Stewardship Program Coordinator for Ducks Unlimited Southern Region. "These programs will help feed people, support families, and provide habitat for waterfowl."

"This is a good day for Louisiana rice producers who are excellent stewards of the land, and play an important role in our state's economy and in helping to feed us all sustainably," said Jeff Durand, a Louisiana producer and co-chair of USA Rice's Conservation Stewardship Partnership who spoke at the event.

The programs are continuing to take shape and develop and all rice RCPP programs are expected to be major areas of discussion at state meetings next month.

Contact: Michael Klein (703) 236-1458

SACRAMENTO, CA - In a separate conservation proposal, the California Rice Commission (CRC) received an RCPP grant of $7 million. This program will support many of the same practices offered by the highly successful Waterbird Habitat Enhancement Program and efforts to develop a viable nesting cover crop system for idled ricelands.

"Having these additional resources should provide a big boost to our industry's longstanding wildlife conservation efforts," said Paul Buttner, Manager of Environmental Affairs for the CRC. "California ricelands provide habitat to nearly 230 wildlife species - millions of birds that fly along the Pacific Flyway, and the value of winter waterfowl habitat in California Rice is estimated at $2 billion."

Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444  

Around Washington

$340M in Federal Funds Awarded to Conservation Projects ABC News

The federal agency has approved 115 proposals in an initial round of funding under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which was authorized under national farm legislation that Congress enacted last year.

Abraham's Ag Committee Assignment Oversees Farm Bill The News Star

John Owen, chairman of the USA Rice Producers Group and a 5th District farmer, said Abraham's position on the commodities subcommittee gives him a louder voice for farmers.

Comments on Conservation Stewardship Program Close Jan 20 Farm Futures

The CSP covers nearly 70 million acres, USDA says. It is intended to help producers install conservation-minded enhancements on their farms. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance - the higher the performance, the higher the payment.

Around the Country

Farm to Table: How Savvy Millennials are Revolutionizing Agriculture HealthlineNews

Environmental issues are key because an unhealthy environment makes for unhealthy people. Climate change isn't a debate; it's a global problem that needs local change. Technology can improve almost anything, and collaboration is a way of life.

Many Back Labelling of Genetically Modified Foods Associated Press

Two thirds of Americans support labeling of genetically modified ingredients on food packages, even if they may not read them, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll.

Western Rice Belt Conference and Texas Rice Council Annual Meeting Set for Jan 21

Your Houston News

The annual Western Rice Belt Production Conference will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at the El Campo Civic Center. The conference will begin with an Early Bird Session on Precision starting at 7:30 am.

Tariffs and Trade

EU Nations Get Flexibility Over Biotech Crop Cultivation Bloomberg

The European Parliament voted today to allow individual EU countries to ban the planting of gene-altered crops so member nations that favor such seeds may gain easier approval from the bloc to grow them.

Trade Tops Ryan's Ways and Means 2015 Agenda The Hill

Ryan said TPA would give Congress the power to set negotiation objectives for trade agreements, get the best deal from global partners and hold the Obama administration accountable on trade.