Rice Stewardship Program helps keep Louisiana rice farming, wildlife thriving

THORNWELL, La. (KPLC) - From the fields of Louisiana to kitchens across the country, rice is a staple in the Bayou State.

For many family farmers, rising costs and changing conditions are making it harder to keep the crop — and a way of life — alive. That’s where the Rice Stewardship Program comes in.

Launched in 2013 by USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited with seed funding from Chevron, the initiative helps rice farmers adopt smarter, more cost-effective practices that protect both their livelihoods and Louisiana’s wetlands.

“Ducks Unlimited and USA Rice got together and said what’s good for rice is good for ducks,” Kyle Soileau with Ducks Unlimited said. “They have the same goals as far as conservation goes: working on rice farmlands, soil health, water quality, and building up wildlife habi