This summer marks an inflection point for Fish in the Fields™. After several winter seasons of rice-fish production at Isbell Farms in Arkansas, the program is moving into an exciting new phase. We are expanding our current climate-smart practice and launching “Lucky Catch PBC,” a social enterprise that produces and markets Fish in the Fields™ fish to promote the myriad benefits this agricultural production system. We’re excited to share our progress!

Like seeds planted in the soil, many of RRI’s long-term efforts—to restore damaged ecosystems, support farmers through transition, reform public policy, and build new models for climate resilience—have required persistence, care, and enduring partnerships. We’re excited to report that 2025 saw many of our programs take root and bear fruit.

Our Fish in the Fields™ program was recently highlighted by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program for its success in integrating fish into rice fields—showing the potential to reduce methane emissions by up to two-thirds.

On March 14, we gathered at Isbell Farms, the home of our 140-acre research site, where the generous Isbell family has hosted our project for over three years. We were excited to demonstrate our enhanced on-field operations, including our fish vacuum pump and new methane measuring devices that supplement our e-flux towers. We also introduced everyone to Lucky Catch, a prototype commercial pet treat product, and presented the first edition of the FIF Implementation Guide.

I’m writing to update you on Fish in the Fields (FIF) and the important progress we’ve been making in 2022. Our work to drive greater sustainability into two essential crops, rice and fish, continues to gain momentum and participation among key stakeholders in California and across the country.

In early December, Resource Renewal Institute (RRI) president Deborah Moskowitz and Director of Programs Chance Cutrano spent a busy and productive three days at the USA Rice Federation (USARice) 2021 Outlook Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.