Farmers were the first conservationists and that tradition carries forward today. Stewarding soil and water resources for maximum benefit today and in the future have always been central themes in agriculture.
Recently, American rice producers joined with twenty-one other trade organizations to form a new partnership known as Farmers for a Sustainable Future (FSF).
The mission of this groundbreaking coalition is to share with elected officials, the media, and the public U.S. agriculture's commitment to sustainability and the great effort that has already been made to reduce agriculture's environmental footprint. FSF will serve as a primary resource for lawmakers as they consider climate related policies; and provide its guiding principles as a foundation to further advance the adoption of conservation programs.
FSF supports science-based research, voluntary incentive based conservation programs, investment in infrastructure, and solutions that support rural communities while ensuring a healthy environment. The coalition recognizes what the rice industry has long known: that U.S.farmers and ranchers are stewards of the land who are committed to soil health, water conservation, air quality, and wildlife.
Ben Mosely, vice president of government affairs at USA Rice, spoke at the event about the rice industry's many accomplishments in sustainability and conservation, as well as the importance of sustainability in agriculture: "All in all, the U.S. rice industry is invested in sustainability because it is personal. Rice farmers live on the land they work, and rice mills are an important economic driver in their communities."
This is an opportunity to tell the great success story of American agriculture's sustainability efforts," said Arkansas ice farmer Jennifer James, who is chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee. "Sustainability is the future of agriculture, and farmers and ranchers are at the forefront of the movement, putting science, technology, and innovation to work on the land. FSF will be an invaluable resource for policymakers and the public alike, and USA Rice is honored to join the group."
Keeping farming sustainable
