Farm Bill Speaker Larry Combest Set for Annual Louisiana Rice Meeting on Jan. 31

CROWLEY, LA, January 10, 2008 — Larry Combest, former chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and a legislative consultant for the USA Rice Federation, will speak at the Louisiana Rice Council and Rice Growers Association joint annual meeting on Thursday, January 31.

The program also will include presentations from the USA Rice Federation, including a report on activities to promote U.S.-grown rice domestically and updates on international markets. USA Rice President and CEO Betsy Ward will present the annual financial report.

“This meeting provides an annual report to rice farmers on programs funded by the Louisiana rice promotion checkoff as well as timely information on other important issues,” said Louisiana Rice Council President Jimmy Hoppe, a rice farmer from Iowa.

The meeting will be held at a new location, the Knights of Columbus Hall South (621 South Avenue E), in Crowley, LA. It will kick off at 5 p.m., with the business program starting at 5:45 p.m. Dinner will be served.

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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.