Riceland Foods' Carbon Ready Program Wins 2024 USA Rice Sustainability Award

Riceland Foods' Carbon Ready Program Triumphs at USA Rice Outlook Conference

On December 12, 2024, Riceland Foods was recognized with the prestigious 2024 USA Rice Sustainability Award at the USA Rice Outlook Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas. This accolade was awarded to their innovative Carbon Ready™ program, which has made significant strides in promoting sustainable farming practices among its farmer members.

Adam Shea, Vice President of Government Affairs and Sustainability, proudly accepted the award on behalf of Riceland’s sustainability team. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of the recognition from industry peers, stating, “What an honor it is for our program to receive this recognition from our peers in the rice industry. This award represents a decade of work in carving out a place for farmers to make a meaningful impact using sustainable rice growing practices and receive a premium from the marketplace for those efforts on the farm.”

Riceland Foods has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability, distributing over $4 million to its farmer-members participating in the 2023 Riceland Carbon Ready™ Program. This initiative serves as a platform for farmers to implement climate-smart methods, enhancing both their environmental stewardship and economic viability.

According to Kevin McGilton, Riceland's Chief Executive Officer, “The Riceland Carbon Ready™ Program has been successful because it keeps farmers at the forefront while creating added value opportunities throughout the supply chain for our program partners.” This strategy not only empowers farmers but also fortifies partnerships with consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and retailers, as they collaborate to build a sustainable future.

Launched in June 2022, the Riceland Carbon Ready™ program was developed in partnership with Arva Intelligence. The initiative allows farmer members to track crucial farm-level data, such as tillage methods and irrigation techniques. This information is vital in demonstrating the impact of climate-smart practices on sustainable agricultural metrics.

In alignment with its Ingrain Good Sustainability Initiative, Riceland’s program supports customers in achieving their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, facilitating a positive impact on U.S. farmers and their land. The holistic approach ensures that both environmental and economic factors are considered, promoting a comprehensive sustainability model.

Riceland Foods stands as the largest miller and marketer of rice, serving approximately 5,500 farmer-members primarily in Arkansas and Missouri. As a farmer-owned cooperative, it manages the storage, transportation, processing, and marketing of over 2.5 million metric tons of grain annually, offering products to consumers across the U.S. and in around 25 countries. Beyond rice, Riceland is a key processor of soybeans, further amplifying its role in the agricultural ecosystem.

For more information about Riceland Foods and their initiatives, visit Riceland.com. Their commitment to sustainable agriculture and community-driven practices showcases the future of farming, where economic resilience and environmental health go hand in hand.