Future Rice Industry Leaders Explore Marketing, Research And Production

SACRAMENTO, CA, October 12, 2005 — Future leaders of the rice industry were part of the Rice Leadership Development class that received an overview of rice marketing, public research efforts, clean water and air issues as well as observing rice harvest in California.

The weeklong session began in Sacramento, CA, where the class hit the ground running with a half-day seminar with the California Rice Commission. California Rice Commission President and CEO Tim Johnson and his staff gave the class an overview of challenges and opportunities facing the California rice industry. Guest speakers were Dar Mims, meteorologist for the California Air Resources Board, and Frank Carl a Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner. Class members discussed and observed marketing efforts and milling practices during meetings with Farmers’ Rice Cooperative, American Commodity Company, Lundberg Family Farms and SunWest Foods.

The students also studied the latest research efforts at the California Rice Research Station prior to touring the Feather River Fish Hatchery, which works to keep an abundant population of salmon in California. When the class visited the $76 million Glenn Colusa Fish Screen Project, Van Tenney, general manager of the Glenn Colusa Irrigation District, explained how agriculture and nature work together for a better environment. The project protects young Chinook juvenile salmon as well as providing the needed water for rice growers in the district.

USA Rice Federation’s Asia Trade Policy Subcommittee Chairman Michael Rue stopped harvesting to give the class an update on trade issues that impact rice sales of California rice. Leo and Sid LaGrande informed the class about production practices, water and land costs as well as marketing issues. Then the class traveled to the Western Regional office of Ducks Unlimited where they received an update on projects to provide additional waterfowl habitat as well as fish projection in California.

The leadership class will meet for the fourth and final session in February 2006 in Washington D.C., where they will develop an understanding and appreciation for the legislative, regulatory and key governmental bodies that affect the U.S. rice industry. A special graduation ceremony will be held during the session.

Rice producer members are Heath Long of Tichnor, AR; Frank Henderson of Texarkana, AR; Marvin Cochran of Avon, MS; Ryan Tabb of Cleveland, MS; and Michael Skalicky of Ganado, TX. Industry-related members are Dr. Brian Ottis of Portageville, MO, and Chris Cota of Sacramento, CA.

John Deere Company and Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc sponsors the Rice Leadership Development Program through a grant to The Rice Foundation. The USA Rice Federation administers the program.

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CONTACT: Chuck Wilson, (870) 673-7541, cwilson@usarice.com

Photo cut line: Leo LaGrande explains rice production practices to the 2004 Rice Leadership Class.

The USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the US rice industry, conducting programs to build awareness of the many attributes of rice and increasing worldwide demand for U.S. rice.