New Conservation Stewardship Program sign-up available
for rice producers in Mississippi Delta
Fast Facts:
- Special rice-focused CSP sign-up open in Mississippi Delta counties.
- Applications must be received by 2 March 2018 to be considered for this funding cycle.
- Addresses resource concerns of water quantity, water quality, and waterfowl habitat.
Ducks Unlimited and USA Rice work with NRCS to conserve working ricelands
Rice producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for a special Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up. Led by the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, the Sustaining the Future of Rice Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) provides an opportunity to enhance conservation on ricelands in 10 Mississippi Delta counties.
“With the support of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, this RCPP project aims 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,” said DU Director of Conservation Programs Dr. Scott Manley.
Through their conservation programs, the NRCS helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their operation and improve the environment our nation’s citizens.
“NRCS is pleased to partner with Ducks Unlimited and others in this RCPP effort. RCPP-CSP provides an opportunity for rice producers to build their businesses while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their operations and improve the environment for Louisiana’s citizens,” said State Conservationist Kurt Readus.
This special RCPP CSP sign-up is targeted for rice production acreage in 10 Delta counties and part-Delta counties over the alluvial aquifer that produces rice. These counties include Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, Tunica, and Washington. The project will provide a special CSP allotment of approximately 5,000 acres in 2018 to Mississippi Delta rice growers.
Applications must be received by 2 March 2018 to be considered for this funding period.
“NRCS has updated the program to help producers better evaluate their conservation options and the benefits to their operations and natural resources,” said Delta FARM biologist Tim Huggins who leads groundwork on CSP. “Partnership staff can help producers see up front why they are or are not meeting stewardship thresholds, and allow them to pick practices and enhancements that work for their conservation objectives. These tools also enable producers to see potential payment scenarios for conservation early in the process.”
Those interested in CSP are recommended to contact their local USDA service center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. Rice Stewardship lead in Mississippi Delta is Tim Huggins at (662) 820-4769 or [email protected]
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.
Media Contact:
Andi Cooper
601-956-1936
[email protected]
@DUSouthernNews