Mar 10, 2021
BATON ROUGE, LA – Last week, the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction inducted three new members who have made a lasting impressing on the Louisiana ag industry: Paul “Jackie” Loewer, Acadia Parish rice farmer; Ronnie Anderson, past president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau; and John Gay, with St. Louis Planting Inc.
Loewer was honored for his leadership and active involvement in many state rice grower organizations, including 26 years on the Louisiana Rice Research Board, 12 years as chairman. During his tenure as chairman, there were significant breakthroughs in rice variety development and he helped establish long-term plans for continuing rice research at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station in Crowley.
Loewer’s advocacy for the rice industry extends beyond his home state as he serves on numerous USA Rice boards and committees, and was chair of the organization from 2010 to 2012.
His career as a rice farmer seems to have been preordained. After graduating from Bethel College in Kansas, he knew he would be return to his family’s farm. “To me, that was what I wanted to do, and I never regretted it actually,” said Loewer. “Never said, ‘I should have been a banker. I should have been an attorney.’”
In his acceptance of the award, Loewer told the crowd gathered for the ceremony: “I wanted to be at the table. They always say the best way to make sure you’re at a meeting is to be the one to call the meeting. And not that I had to call every meeting, but to be involved. We know the world is run by people that show up. I wanted to show up.”
During the 31 years Ronnie Anderson served as president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, membership doubled. Anderson was tireless in his advocating on behalf of Louisiana agriculture, including the rice industry.
“Both the Louisiana and U.S. rice industries are fortunate that volunteers like Loewer, Anderson, and others like them “show up,” and take active roles in supporting and advancing the rice industry,” said USA Rice President & CEO Betsy Ward. “It is because of people like them, with passion for and dedication to this industry, that we continue to grow and improve together.”