Program

Conference programming is carefully curated to offer a tangible benefit to attendees.  We have exciting speakers and outstanding educational sessions that will make your time spent in Little Rock truly impactful to you, to your bottom line, and to your business.

Keynote Speakers

Steve Lerch

Steve Lerch, Innovation Strategist 


“Building a Culture of Collaboration, Curiosity, and Speed”
Innovation is the key to survival in today’s world. Steve will explain how to create a culture that breeds creativity and transformation.  Whether you represent a family farm, a multinational company. or the national trade association, Steve’s fast-paced presentation laced with real world examples and humor will set you on the path to success.

Nikolas Badminton

Nikolas Badminton, Futurist


“Facing Our Futures: Looking to 2035 and Beyond”
Nikolas will teach you how to develop a futurist mindset to see the signals of change and emerging trends in agriculture and rice farming. From demystifying global megatrends shaping geopolitical dynamics to exploring the signals and trends that will transform agriculture, Nik’s energetic keynote will ignite your curiosity and shift your mindset from What Is to What If.


Select Educational Programming

This year we are offering more than 20 hours of concurrent educational programming during the conference.  Below are a few highlights.  Other session topics include: Logistics & Shipping, Rice Grading  … and much more!
A speaker addresses a crowd of conference attendees

Breakout Sessions – Monday 12/8

State Outlook & Research Reports

Monday 12/8  |  1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  |  Anheuser-Busch Stage

  • Louisiana Report: 1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
  • Missouri Report: 1:55 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
  • Arkansas Report: 2:20 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
  • California Report: 2:45 p.m. – 3:05 p.m.
  • Mississippi Report: 3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Texas Report: 3:35 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
  • Florida & South Carolina Reports: 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Regulatory Landscape in 2026

Monday 12/8  |  1:30 p.m. – 2:05 p.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage

Our panel of regulation whisperers will break down everything from H2A to WOTUS and more.

Accessing Innovation: Global Regulatory Overview of Gene Editing in Agriculture

Monday 12/8  |  1:30 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.  |  FMC Stage

How are governments around the world are shaping policies for gene-edited crops and livestock? Drawing on recent case studies and regulatory trends, this talk will highlight both opportunities and challenges in bringing gene-edited products to market. Particular emphasis will be placed on rice research and development, exploring how gene editing is being applied to improve yields, strengthen resilience to climate stress, and enhance disease resistance. The presentation will also cover the evolving regulatory frameworks that determine how quickly such innovations can reach farmers, and what lessons can be learned from global experiences to inform U.S. rice sector strategy.

Speaker:  Jeff Nawn, Founder & CEO of North Hill Group

Farm Bill Implementation

Monday 12/8  |  2:10 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage

Our presenters will unpack the long-awaited Farm Bill, provide an update on a “Skinny" Farm Bill, and tell you what comes next.

2026 Farm Economy Outlook

Monday 12/8  |  2:50 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage 

We’re in as challenging a farm economic climate as the 1980s with bankruptcies, farm consolidations, continued tariff chaos and more reshaping the U.S. rice industry right before our eyes. LSU Ag Policy Professor Dr. Michael Delibarto will unpack the data to explain how rising costs, shrinking margins, shifting trade dynamics, and other economic bellwethers and trends will impact producers, millers, and exporters in the months ahead.

Speaker:  Dr. Michael Delibarto, Associate Professor in Agricultural Policy, LSU

U.S. Rice Quality Symposium

Monday 12/8  |  3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

U.S. rice breeders are making progress addressing the quality characteristics requested by Latin American rice importers. Rice breeders from public research institutions and private companies will share the results of their recent elite line testing.

Mental Wellbeing for Agricultural Communities

Monday 12/8  |  3:20 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.  |  FMC Stage

Over the last decade, farmers and farm families have experienced increasing pressures, resulting in high levels of stress, mental health issues, and suicide. In this session, Louisiana’s AgriSafe Network professionals will teach participants to recognize and respond to mental health crises using the approach of Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR). QPR for Agricultural Communities is a special curriculum that addresses QPR through an agricultural lens with personal farmer stories and opportunity to explore QPR approaches in hypothetical conversations with agricultural populations in crisis. Participants completing the training will be provided QPR certification documentation and many QPR resources for their use electronically.

Speakers:
Natalie Roy, MPH – Chief Executive Officer
Tara Haskins, DNP, MSN, RN, AHN-BC – Total Farmer Health Director
Olivia Bury, MA, LPC – Behavioral Health Coordinator

California Rice Footprint

Monday 12/8  |  3:35 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage

The California Rice Commission (CRC) is committed to securing their industry’s social license to operate. They partnered with the University of California Davis and Point Blue Conservation Science to make the case that rice agriculture, especially winter-flooded rice fields, provide critical wetlands that host a diversity of species in California's Central Valley and that there is an ideal footprint for the California industry, below which wildlife and the ecosystem would suffer. CRC and partners will present an overview of the study and explain how it is a blueprint for all of agriculture going forward.

Washington Update with Jim Wiesemeyer
Monday 12/8  |  4:20 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage

Outlook Conference mainstay, Jim Wiesemeyer will do a deep dive on what the political climate in Washington means for agriculture.

Speaker:  Jim Wiesemeyer – Analyst, ProFarmer and Farm Journal

Breakout Sessions – Tuesday 12/9

International Market Panel Series

Tuesday 12/9  |  8:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.  |  Nutrien Ag Solutions Stage

With exports uniquely important to U.S. rice and so much of the world embroiled in trade chaos, we thought it fitting to launch a new series this year to provide insights into key markets. We’re bringing major importers and trade experts to New Orleans to take part in five panels and offer a deep dive into their markets. Come learn about trends and the trade outlook for Mexico, Central America, Haiti, Canada, and Europe & Africa.

  • Central America Market Panel: 8:30 a.m. – 8:55 a.m.
  • Mexico Market Panel: 9:00 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.
  • Haiti Market Panel: 9:30 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
  • Canada Market Panel: 10:00 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.
  • United Kingdom Market Panel: 10:30 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
State Report Roundup

Tuesday 12/9  |  8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.  |  Anheuser-Busch Stage

If you missed any of Monday’s state reports - we’ll cover the highlights here.

Speaker:  Dr. Steve Linscombe – Director, The Rice Foundation

A Louisiana Rice History

Tuesday 12/9  |  9:05 a.m. – 9:40 a.m.  |  Anheuser-Busch Stage

Rice historian and expert among experts will talk about the unique, fun, and fascinating history of the mighty grain that has brought us all to the Crescent City this week.

Speaker: David Shields, Chairman of the Board, Carolina Gold Rice Foundation

From Shelf to Shopper: Navigating Grocery Retail Trends

Tuesday 12/9  |  9:45 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.  |  Anheuser-Busch Stage

Consumer shopping habits are changing rapidly, reshaping how grocery retailers operate and what products succeed and what are left behind. This session explores key grocery retail trends, including online grocery platforms and shifting shopper values around health, convenience, and sustainability. Attendees will gain insights into what’s driving purchasing decisions today and how retailers are adapting their strategies and how food and agriculture stakeholders can better position themselves for success in a competitive marketplace.

Speaker:  Eric Martindale – Founder, Elite Commerce Group

Brewing and Beyond: Innovations in Rice in Food and Drink
Tuesday 12/9  |  9:40 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.  |  FMC Stage

Rice is expanding beyond the plate to the forefront of innovation in beer, liquor, and snack foods. Join food scientists, distillers, and snack experts for this discussion of how rice and rice flour are driving new product development, enhancing flavor, texture, and even nutritional profiles. From craft beverages to cutting-edge snack applications, the session will showcase U.S. rice as a versatile ingredient shaping consumer trends and creating value for producers and processors alike. And yes, there will be samples.

Speakers:
Scott Lafontaine – Assistant Professor in Food Chemistry, University of Arkansas
Derek Alarcon – Director of Sales & Marketing, Farmers' Rice Cooperative/Exceedient
Emily Meyers – Brand Manager, J.T. Meleck Distillers


Persons requiring special accommodations or having any dietary restrictions to attend or participate in this conference should contact Jeanette Davis at (240) 682-0059, or e-mail jdavis@usarice.com no later than November 30, 2025.

USA Rice is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  USA Rice does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital/family status or political beliefs.