For Immediate Release — June 20, 2012
Contact: Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-7541,
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Rice Leadership Development Program Class Completes Second Session
STUTTGART, AR — Arkansas recently played host to a vital part of the 2012 Rice Leadership Development Program class’ second session, which concluded June 15.
In Arkansas, the class participated in workshops on business etiquette, protocol, media communication skills, public speaking, and presentation skills.
Keith Glover, president and CEO of Producers Rice Mill, gave an overview of the facility’s operations and a tour of its parboiled rice plant. Dr. Chuck Wilson, director, University of Arkansas Rice Research and Extension Center, explained the latest rice research underway at the station. George Dunklin Jr. of Five Oaks Lodge gave the class a tour and explanation of conservation practices used on his farm.
On the final day of the session, the group visited Riceland Foods, Inc., where President and CEO Danny Kennedy provided an overview of the company and Senior VP of International Rice and Partnerships Carl Brothers talked about the world rice situation. The tour ended with a visit to S & D Farm Partnerships, where alumnus Kirk Meins explained the production practices of row watering rice.
Earlier in the week, the class visited the CME Group, a key factor in the marketing of U.S.-grown rice, and witnessed the opening bell of the trading day, observed trading on the floor at the rice pit and other commodity trading pits. In addition, Fred Seamon, senior director of commodity research and product development provided detailed information on rice trading.
Participants also visited John Deere’s world headquarters in Moline, IL, where they toured the harvester factory and saw a combine being built from scratch. John Deere is one of the program’s sponsors.
Class members include rice-producers Rance Daniels from Hornersville, MO; Brian Barrett from Arbuckle, CA; Clint Roth from Stuttgart, AR; Noble Guedon from Natchez, MS and Timothy Gertson from Lissie, TX. Industry-related representative members are Dr. Natalie Hummel with LSU AgCenter from Baton Rouge, LA, and Brice Lauppe with Farmers’ Rice Cooperative from Roseville, CA.
John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc. and American Commodity Company are sponsors of the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation, and the USA Rice Federation manages the program.
Photo: Leadership Class visits Producers Rice Mill. Left to right, Jason Chastain, Brian Barrett, Natalie Hummel, Rance Daniels, Noble Guedon, Clint Roth, Brice Lauppe, Timothy Gertson and Keith Glover.
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