To explore the viability of rice as a climate-resilient crop for the Northeast, Cornell University researchers collaborated with Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) educators and innovative farmers state and region-wide to evaluate temperate rice varieties under both flooded and dryland production systems. Field trials were established to examine agronomic performance, labor needs, equipment requirements, and environmental impacts. In October 2024, Cornell hosted the first New York Rice Field Day—an event that marked a significant milestone in the state’s emerging rice movement. The event brought together 32 participants, including seven growers who are already experimenting with rice on their own farms, as well as researchers, extension educators, and food entrepreneurs. To broaden access and reach growers unable to attend in person, Cornell also delivered online workshops and virtual training sessions that introduced rice cultivation principles, water management techniques, harvest logistics, and variety selection. A comprehensive New York rice farming resource guide is under development to support new adopters with practical, science-based information. Importantly, outreach efforts prioritized engagement with diverse communities—including women, minority, immigrant, and low-income farmers—ensuring equitable access to this emerging climate adaptation opportunity. In 2025, an article was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Liao et al., 2025), a leading journal, describing these efforts to expand sustainable rice farming in the northeast (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402181122).
Results
The flooded paddy trial in Freeville, NY produced 1.3 tons of rice on fewer than two acres in its first year. These yields demonstrate that rice can perform competitively within New York’s climatic conditions, even during a year marked by fluctuating temperatures and uneven rainfall. Beyond agronomic success, the paddy generated notable ecological benefits. More than 41 bird species were recorded at the site through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird platform, highlighting the potential for rice paddies to serve as multifunctional landscapes that support biodiversity, migratory bird habitat, and wetland-like ecosystem services. Outreach and educational programming reached over 100 growers and food entrepreneurs statewide—many of whom expressed interest in expanding production, piloting new rice varieties, or forming a regional processing and marketing cooperative to build an emerging rice value chain. Public visibility increased through media coverage in outlets such as the Cornell Chronicle and Syracuse.com, which helped raise awareness about rice’s viability as a climate-resilient crop and generated broader conversations about agricultural adaptation across New York.
Public Value Statement
Introducing rice production into New York’s agricultural systems offers a forward-looking pathway toward climate resilience, economic diversification, and ecological enhancement. By providing farmers with a crop that can withstand flooding, New York communities gain a buffer against climate-related crop loss and economic instability. Rice systems can stimulate local food economies, support workforce development, and contribute to a more secure and regionally adapted food supply. At the same time, rice paddies provide ecosystem benefits by supporting wildlife, improving water retention, and contributing to broader environmental stewardship goals. Together, these outcomes create meaningful public value by strengthening agricultural sustainability, fostering rural economic vitality, and increasing community resilience in the face of accelerating climate change.
