RMA Elects Gary Boddicker Chairman, Mike LaGrande Vice Chairman; Announcement made at 105th Annual Rice Millers’ Association Convention.

Washington, D.C., June 24, 2004 — The Rice Millers’ Association has announced the election of Gary Boddicker with Masterfoods USA in Greenville, Miss., to the office of chairman. Mike LaGrande, with The Sun Valley Rice Company in Arbuckle, Calif., was elected vice chairman. The announcement was made at the 105th annual RMA Convention, held June 13-16 in San Francisco, Calif. The new officers begin their term on August 1.

RMA, which represents the U.S. rice milling and allied industries, is one of the oldest agribusiness trade associations in America. This year’s convention drew 390 rice millers, marketers, producers, exporters and representatives from related businesses in the United States and 15 other countries. This year’s program focused on trends in trade, domestic marketing, research and technology.

“This annual meeting brings people with a common interest in rice together in a professional and productive environment to expand our knowledge, which facilitates industry growth and profitability,” said RMA Chairman Steve Malin, Busch Agricultural Resources, St. Louis, Mo. Malin was honored at the convention for his service as chairman in a special presentation made on behalf of the RMA Board of Directors and membership.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ANN M. VENEMAN ADDRESSES THE RMA CONVENTION; PRESIDENT BUSH COMMENDS RMA IN LETTER TO THE CONVENTION.

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman addressed trade and the contributions of agriculture to the economy in her remarks. “It is estimated that export sales now support 900,000 jobs of which 40 percent are in rural areas,” Veneman said.

President Bush commended RMA in a letter read at the convention by Veneman.

“For more than a century our RMA has supported rice production and helped bring food to our citizens and others around the world,” the president’s letter said. “By providing market information and strengthening cooperation among millers and other members of the rice industry, this convention contributes to the most productive agricultural economy on earth. I applaud RMA members for your efforts to promote economic growth and provide a healthy diet for the American people.”

RMA is a charter member of the USA Rice Federation, 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.

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Contact: Patricia Alderson, (703) 236-1472, talderson@usarice.com