This current conservation opportunity is for rice producers that are planning to idle any acres this growing season and have live vegetation on those fields. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting application for idle fields until this Friday, March 11. 

To be eligible for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), idle fields must have significant live vegetation on them and must be able to provide a water source within a half-mile of the fields from April 1 to July 15. Ultimately, this program will provide an incentive payment to leave vegetation undisturbed for the waterfowl nesting season and allow access to monitor nesting activity. 

Program Details:

1. New Application Deadline:  Friday, March 11, 2022 
2. Must have idle rice fields for the 2022 growing season
3. Fields that are participating in a water transfer are still eligible
4. Must have vegetation on the fields suitable for nesting birds 
   1. Cover crops are preferred but volunteer plants may also be acceptable
5. Must have some form of brood water within a half mile 
   1. i.e. flooded rice fields, irrigation canals or ponds
6. Leave the fields undisturbed from April 1 to July 15
7. Payment rate: $24.10/acre

Producers interested in this program should contact Luke Matthews, Wildlife Programs Manager for the California Rice Commission, at (916) 607-8988/lmatthews@calrice.org. Matthews will be working with NRCS to verify field condition and assist eligible producers with the application process.