By Blake Jackson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) celebrated a landmark achievement with the shipment of the first "climate-smart" food products from Great River Milling in Wisconsin. This shipment, consisting of long grain white and brown rice, marks a significant milestone under the department's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.
Launched in 2022 with a $3 billion budget, this initiative aims to incentivize and support farmers and agribusinesses in adopting more sustainable agricultural practices.
The climate-friendly aspect of this rice lies in its production process. Compared to traditional methods, it utilizes nearly half the amount of water, demonstrably reducing the farm's environmental footprint.
Additionally, AgriCapture, a company specializing in verifying climate-friendly agricultural practices, confirmed a decrease in methane emissions associated with the rice's production. This success story has captured the attention of Wisconsin farmers, with many expressing interests in replicating this approach for crops like beans and lentils.
Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Randy Romanski emphasized the program's potential to create a win-win situation. By adding value to food products, climate-smart practices benefit both farmers through potentially higher profits and consumers seeking out food produced with sustainability in mind.
Photo Credit: pexels-polina-tankilevitch
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy