Feed America’s Children Regenerative Rice By Saving Our Farm

Bruce Lopes is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Our Story:

Hello from Bruce and Christopher at Lopes Family Farms! Our journey took a fascinating turn when my son, Christopher, who’s a 4th generation farmer, introduced me to regenerative Duck Rice Farming. The idea of integrating ducks in rice paddies seemed downright crazy initially. However, after discovering the effective methods of a Japanese farmer named Takao Furuno, we adopted this ancient regenerative method, revitalizing our land in the U.S. with a sustainable synergy between ducks and rice that enriches the soil and they are a secondary crop themselves. Ducks naturally control pests and weeds and fertilize the rice, a method proven over millennia in the Far East and one we’ve embraced here in the United States.

As farmers in California, we are acutely aware of the challenges posed by droughts. Our duck rice farming method saves over half the water used in organic rice farming, which is critical here. By managing our fields with ducks, we use water more efficiently, helping preserve this precious resource while maintaining a productive farm. This method isn’t just beneficial for us—it’s essential for all Californians as we all face water scarcity during increasing drought years.

Our farm is more than just a place where crops grow; it’s a dream in action—a dream of fostering a healthier, more sustainable community. We embarked on direct-to-consumer and school sales in 2023, driven by the hope to broaden our impact and save our farm in the process. We’ve made a lot of progress the last year selling to school districts and partnering with them to do in class presentations in the coming school year to teach kids about our regenerative farming practices but haven’t had enough time to build the sales to get us through this planting season. Despite our ambitions, we are now facing significant challenges.

Our Challenge:

This year has been particularly tough. While we are working hard to scale up the duck rice method from our initial 8 acre attempt last year. We still rely heavily on commodity contracts for the rest of our organic rice in order to stay in business. This year the organic rice market has plummeted, with prices dropping by 25%, and we’ve only managed to secure a commodity contract for 90 of our 203 acres.

Financial burdens are mounting: we urgently need $95,000 for chicken manure, $20,000 for seeds, $22,000 for water, plus $60,000 in operational expenses for fuel, keeping the lights on and supplemental feed for 800 ducks. Without immediate help, our farm’s future is in jeopardy.

Why We Need Your Help:

We are reaching out for your support. We’re committed to nurturing our community through sustainable farming and providing healthy, organic and regenerative rice to our country’s children. We are a small family farm with big aspirations, aiming to make a real difference—one that inspires sustainable practices across the farming community.

Our Promise:

Every contribution goes directly to the essentials that keep our farm running. With your help, we can continue our legacy of innovative farming that respects the earth and nourishes people. You are not just saving a farm; you are investing in a movement towards a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Closing Thought:

We’re all on the same journey, just with different stories. By supporting Lopes Family Farms, you become a part of our story, helping to shape a future where sustainable farming nurtures the next generation.

Join us in transforming agriculture, one duck and one rice paddy at a time.

Thank you for your generosity,

Bruce & Christopher Lopes

P.S. You can read about our journey of our first year adopting the duck rice farming method in the articles below, on our website and our day to day adventures on our Instagram .