ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA -- (April 9, 2014) -- Later this month in Texas, the USA Rice Federation will continue its series of education briefings for producers, landowners, lenders, and other industry members on the 2014 Farm Bill.

Wednesday, April 23
9:00 a.m.
El Campo Civic Center
2350 N Mechanic Street
El Campo, TX


Thursday, April 24
9:00 a.m.  
Winnie-Stowell Community Center
1301 Park Street
Winnie, TX

USA Rice's Vice President of Government Affairs Reece Langley and Senior Manager of Government Affairs Lauren Echols of Breckenridge, Texas, will explain key provisions of the new Farm Bill along with their specific implications for the U.S. rice industry in an effort to help growers make important decisions for 2014 and beyond.

"USA Rice spent the last four years working with allies in Congress to ensure the interests of rice farmers were represented in the Farm Bill," said Langley.   "Now we have the opportunity to provide a comprehensive explanation of the bill and the decision aid tools that will assist in enrollment decisions that will carry through for at least five years under the new bill."

"I'm pleased USA Rice will be conducting briefings for us here in Texas," said Linda Raun, an El Campo rice farmer.  "There are so many moving parts to this bill, the more information you can give yourself now, the better off you'll be."

"If you're involved in rice in Texas, you need to make it a point to attend one of these briefings," said Winnie rice producer Charlie Reneau.  "I know more than 1,000 people attended similar USA Rice briefings in Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi. Texas rice producers should not miss these briefings."

The 2014 Farm Bill was signed by President Obama on February 7, and the USDA is currently working on implementation of the bill that reauthorizes commodity, conservation, crop insurance, trade, nutrition and other important policies through at least 2018.

Photo caption:  Lone Star rice farmer