JOSH HANKINS / ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
Back in 2022, the USA Rice–Ducks Unlimited–National Black Growers Council joint proposal to USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program received the highest score from grant reviewers. Rice, as a commodity, ultimately secured nearly $200 million in commitments across several proposals – an affirmation of the industry’s long-standing leadership in conservation and sustainability.
When the Trump Administration paused the program to reevaluate priorities, USDA made clear it wanted to eliminate initiatives that did not put enough money directly into farmers’ hands. As a result, most previously approved projects were terminated. What emerged was USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) program – and importantly, the USA Rice project survived. It did so largely because a significant share of funding was structured to go straight to farmers implementing conservation practices that conserve water, enhance soil health, and strengthen markets.
Now comes the most important part: the money is flowing.
That outcome did not happen by accident. The AMP funding was secured through the Rice Stewardship Partnership (RSP), a long-standing collaboration led by USA Rice in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and others, built around farmer-driven conservation that works at scale. For years, RSP has invested in developing practical, measurable solutions that fit real-world rice operations. That track record positioned rice well when USDA narrowed its focus to programs that deliver direct value to producers.
As Arkansas rice farmer Jeff Rutledge explains, “This program works because it was designed by people who understand how farms actually operate. The practices are practical, the incentives help cover real costs, and we’re seeing efficiency and conservation gains.”
Through AMP, the USA Rice program will channel the majority of the $85 million project directly to rice producers as financial assistance. As of this printing, funds are reaching producers, and winter field practices are already underway.
This AMP program offers per-acre support for more than 30 conservation practices tailored to individual operations. These include alternate wetting and drying (AWD), irrigation upgrades, precision nutrient management, and runoff reduction systems – practices that deliver both environmental benefits and operational efficiency.
“AWD has helped us better manage our water and inputs,” says Mark Isbell, an Arkansas rice farmer that has participated in some of the RSP’s programming. “When you’re more precise with irrigation, you reduce waste, save on pumping costs, and improve overall efficiency. That matters at the end of the year.”
Rance Daniels, a Missouri producer, points to the flexibility of the program as a key strength. “Practices like AWD make sense on our farm, and the incentive payments make it possible to adopt them faster and with less financial risk.”
USA Rice’s AMP grants also support multiple inlet rice irrigation, furrow irrigation, automated soil-moisture monitoring, and nutrient-use efficiency practices – each tied to measurable outcomes and backed by payments that help offset implementation costs.
The AMP program is a clear example of government putting its money where its mouth is. Farmers are willing to do their part when it comes to conservation, but it costs money. That has long been USA Rice’s message: we can deliver environmental improvements, but those efforts must be economically viable for producers.
Thanks to years of preparation by U.S. rice farmers and strong partnerships across the industry, USA Rice’s AMP projects demonstrate that smart policy can strengthen rural economies, improve environmental outcomes, and support the long-term sustainability of rice farming. ∆
JOSH HANKINS / US RICE FEDERATION
Photo of program participant and Missouri rice farmer Blake Gerard showing some of the practices he employs.