Roberg Takes USA Rice Federation National Rice Month Scholarship Grand Prize

AUSTIN, TX, December 5, 2005 — The USA Rice Federation today awarded the National Rice Month Scholarship grand prize to Elizabeth “Liz” Roberg, 16, of Cabot, AR. USA Rice President and CEO Stuart Proctor presented the $2,000 scholarship to Roberg here at the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

“Each year we honor students who put a tremendous amount of hard work and pride into their National Rice Month promotions with scholarships,” Proctor said. “We’re pleased to present the 2005 grand prize to Liz Roberg along with our congratulations and appreciation for her outstanding efforts to promote rice and the rice industry.”

To vie fro a scholarship, eligible high school juniors and seniors in rice-growing communities must run a promotion during September National Rice Month with U.S.-grown rice as the central theme. Roberg took top honors for her “Why Rice is Nice” promotion, which focused on rice’s importance to the economy and the environment as well as in nutrition.

Throughout September, Roberg worked with local media to highlight National Rice Month. Two Arkansas newspapers published her essay on the Arkansas rice industry’s donation of 30,000 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Rice Depot for hurricane-relief efforts.

Roberg also designed a rice-education exhibit booth, which won a first place ribbon at the Lonoke (AR) County Fair and went on to exhibit at a regional fair. She worked with local grocers, businesses and civic organizations to mount National Rice Month displays and rice basket giveaways. Additionally, Roberg met with her school district dietitian to discuss increasing the number of rice dishes served. She also was named Miss Lonoke County Rice and was a finalist in the Miss Arkansas Rice contest.

For more information on National Rice Month, visit the USA Rice Federation’s Web site at www.usarice.com.

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Photo caption: Stuart Proctor and Arkansas rice-producer Jennifer James present Elizabeth Roberg with the $2000 scholarship check.

CONTACTS: Randy Jemison, (337) 738-7009, rjemison@usarice.com

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

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.