Program Sessions

Session I - Texas & Louisiana Gulf Coast Rice Areas 

• Orientation to industry and organizational structures
• River logistics and mid-stream loading facility in Mississippi River
• Rice production, milling, research, promotion, and marketing in the Gulf Coast rice-growing areas
  

Session II - Arkansas, Mississippi & Midwest

• Observe and discuss area rice production, milling, marketing and research
• Improve communication skills - business etiquette, public speaking, media training
• Observe and study the rice futures market at the Chicago Board of Trade and visit John Deere World Headquarters

Session III – California

• Discuss agricultural and environmental issues in California
• Rice production, harvesting, milling, marketing and research
• Observe various water systems in rice producing areas of California 
  
   

Session IV - Washington, DC

• Discuss industry issues with regulatory and governmental agencies (USDA, FAS, EPA, etc.)
• Bipartisan discussions with key legislative contacts
• Graduation