The Natural Resources Conservation Service has opened the application period for a special conservation program designed for rice producers in all six rice-producing states.
The special conservation stewardship program known as the Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program is a joint effort between USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited, according to a news release.
It is designed to assist landowners and rice producers that voluntarily implement conservation and management practices to improve irrigation water management, control sediment and nutrient runoff, and provide waterfowl habitat on rice-production lands.
Eligible counties and parishes include:
• Arkansas – Randolph, Clay, Lawrence, Greene, Independence, Craighead, Mississippi, Jackson, Poinsett, Cross, Crittenden, Woodruff, White, Faulkner, Conway, Pope, Saint Francis, Lee, Monroe, Prairie, Lonoke, Pulaski, Phillips, Arkansas, Jefferson, Lincoln, Desha, Drew, Ashley and Chicot.
• California – Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba.
• Louisiana – Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Madison, Morehouse, Rapides, Richland, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion and West Carroll.• Missouri – Bollinger, Butler, Dunklin, Pemiscot, Mississippi, New Madrid and Stoddard.
• Mississippi – Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica and Washington.
• Texas – Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Jackson, Jefferson, Lavaca, Liberty, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton.
Deadline to apply for this round of funding is March 2. Contact your local NRCS office or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted to locate the nearest service center.