Rice production and waterfowl conservation will lead the topics at the Jan. 30 annual meeting of the Arkansas Rice Council and the Arkansas Rice Farmers.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart, Ark.

Dale Hall, Ducks Unlimited CEO, will headline the event.

The meeting will provide information on the rice industry’s new stewardship partnership with Ducks Unlimited, said Ben Noble, Arkansas Rice Federation’s executive director.

“We are excited to work alongside a conservation group to preserve and expand the benefits that waterfowl, rice fields and water contribute to society,” said Noble.

USA Rice Federation and Ducks Unlimited announced its new partnership in February 2013.

In March 2013 representatives for the two groups met to develop an agenda of activities to conserve and improve working rice lands, waterfowl and water. (USA Rice and Ducks Unlimited commence landmark stewardship partnership)

Also featured will be Betsy Ward, USA Rice Federation president and CEO. She will present an update on USA Rice activities, share recent successes, and outline future efforts to promote the industry.

Arkansas Rice Farmers will also hold an election for the board of directors District 5 position, which includes Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Pope, Yell, Conway, Perry, Saline, Pulaski, Faulkner, Lonoke, White, Cleburne, Stone and Independence counties.

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The Arkansas Rice Annual Meeting is sponsored in part by Ag-Pro Companies.

An awards luncheon will follow the meeting for all registered guests. Register online at www.arkansasricefarmers.org/registration2014 or call (501) 375-1100.

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