FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — JANUARY 12, 2010

Contacts:     Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Stacy Fitzgerald-Redd, 703-236-1458, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CROWLEY, LA — The Louisiana Rice Council (LARC) and Louisiana Rice Growers Association (LARGA) will hold their joint annual membership meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the International Rice Festival Building.  

The keynote speaker will be Jim Wiesemeyer, vice president, Informa Economics Inc.’s Washington Bureau, who has reported on farm and trade policy in Washington since 1978.

LARC President Jimmy Hoppe and LARGA President Jeff Durand will provide updates on the activities of their organizations.  USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward will report on the Federation’s program activities and results and VP Government Affairs Reece Langley will give updates on legislative, regulatory and trade issues affecting the rice industry.

“This meeting provides an annual report to rice farmers on programs funded by the Louisiana rice promotion checkoff as well as timely information on other important issues,” said Hoppe, a rice farmer from Jeff Davis Parish.  “I encourage all rice industry stakeholders to attend.”

The meeting will be held at the International Rice Festival Building, 717 West Mill Street, Crowley, LA.  The event will begin with a coffee and cookies reception at 5 p.m., followed by the business session, dinner and the key note address.  The program should conclude at 8:30 p.m.