ARLINGTON, VA — While insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop’s unique environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice annually presents the Sustainability Award to identify and promote efforts in this area.
The USA Rice Sustainability Award is open to individuals or entities with significant involvement in the U.S. rice industry and with a history of promoting and advancing sustainability through innovative practices and demonstrated leadership in the sustainability community.
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Mark Isbell (right) presents the 2022 Sustainability Award to Meryl Kennedy Farr, CEO of Kennedy Rice
“We are looking for men and women and companies who embody sustainability by their actions and who are willing to share their vision of the future and commitment to the environment with others and help others follow in their footsteps,” said Mark Isbell, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Sustainability Committee. “While sustainability is now a buzzword in nearly every industry, the rice industry has been incorporating it for years and continues to be at the forefront of the sustainability movement.”
Last year’s USA Rice Sustainability award went to Kennedy Rice, a Louisiana production and milling operation that has incorporated sustainability at virtually all levels of their operations, including partnerships with end-users to promote sustainable rice production and processing techniques.
The award committee is now accepting nominations through October 13, 2023, and the award will be presented at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Indian Wells, California, this December.
The application form can be found here.
