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 Aerial view of rice fields north of Sacramento.
Delta Rice Conversion Incentive Program
APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 7
The Delta Rice Incentive Program is seeking farmers who are interested in converting existing farm fields in the Central Delta to bird-friendly rice cultivation.
Willing farmers who are selected for the program will convert their existing row crops to rice and grow rice for three years in exchange for $400/acre to cover the cost of conversion. There are also winter flood and residue management requirements.
The program is being implemented by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the Delta Conservancy.
Why Rice?
Growing rice in the Delta reduces subsidence due to soil oxidation, which reduces the high greenhouse gas emissions from farming high organic matter Delta soils and increases the long-term viability of farming in the Delta. This is the result of maintaining rice fields in a flooded state for most of the year. When managed appropriately, rice also provides high-quality habitat for migratory birds in the Delta, and millions of wetland-dependent birds now rely on flooded agriculture for their survival.
Shallowly flooded habitat attracting waterbirds. Photo via The Nature Conservancy.
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Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
(916) 375-2084 | deltaconservancy.ca.gov | 1450 Halyard Drive, Suite 6
West Sacramento, CA 95691
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