News

Mark Isbell of North Little Rock, Arkansas, was named 2016 Rice Farmer of the Year at the Cotton & Rice Conference here. Isbell is part of a multi-generation rice farm in central Arkansas focused on zero-grade farming and rice behind rice rotation. He earned both a BA and an MA from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he teaches part time. Full story

Members of the 2016/18 Rice Leadership Development Program class were announced last Friday during the annual Rice Awards Luncheon at the 2015 USA Rice Outlook Conference. Full story

In acknowledgement of the high caliber of people chosen to participate in the Rice Leadership Development program, another member has won a Young Farmer & Rancher Achievement Award: Derek Haigwood in Arkansas. Full story

Timothy and Lindy Gertson of Lissie, Texas, were named the winners of the 2015 Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher competition at TFB’s Annual Meeting last weekend. The Gertsons grow rice, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat in Wharton County. Full story

In early November, the 2015 International Rice Leadership Class toured Thailand to get an overview of the Thai rice market. The group met with a diverse group of industry representatives including Thai exporters/traders, farmers, millers, rice research stations, and U.S. government officials working in Thailand. Full story

One Grower Publishing has announced the hiring of Vicky Boyd as editor of Rice Farming and Soybean South publications. She also will be the managing editor of Cotton Farming magazine. Boyd is based in Modesto, California. Full story

The Rice Leadership Development Program recently selected the 2015 International Rice Leadership class, and they will be heading to Thailand next week as part of their continuing education. Full story