Meacham Takes USA Rice Federation National Rice Month Scholarship Grand Prize

ORLANDO, FL, December 4, 2007 — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

The USA Rice Federation yesterday awarded the National Rice Month Scholarship grand prize to Kathaleene Meacham, of Brinkley, AR. USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward presented the $3,500 scholarship to Meacham here at the USA Rice Outlook Conference.

“This year’s entries for the National Rice Month scholarship were a tribute to the talent and dedication of all of the students who put a tremendous amount of work into this effort,” Ward said. “We’re pleased to present the 2007 grand prize to Kathaleene Meacham, along with our congratulations and appreciation for her outstanding efforts to promote rice and the rice industry.”

To vie for 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.

Meacham took top honors with a campaign centered on “Rice — It’s Family Friendly!” Her promotional activities highlighted four themes: the importance of rice to family meal times, family nutrition, family jobs and family farms.

Meacham worked to promote rice during September National Rice month by starting a letter writing campaign to local businesses about the importance of rice, constructing up store displays about National Rice Month and developing a multi-media presentation and Web site.

For more information on National Rice Month, visit the USA Rice Federation Web site.

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Photo caption: From left: Kathaleene Meacham receives the scholarship prize from USA Rice Federation President and CEO Betsy Ward.

The USA Rice Federation is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to promote and protect the interests of producers, millers, merchants and allied businesses.