Mar 23, 2015
HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Members of the 2015/17 Rice Leadership Development Class are attending their first program session this week with visits to rice-producing areas of the Gulf Coast. Session activities include examination of rice production, milling, marketing, and other aspects of the U.S. rice industry.
In Texas, the class is making stops at Riviana Foods; RiceTec Inc.; Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA); Doguet Rice Milling Company; Rice Belt Warehouse, the state's largest rice storage facility; and several rice farms.
"We are all really excited to get started with the Leadership Program," said Hudgens Jeter, a rice producer from Stuttgart, Arkansas. "We have a really strong group and I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone and to take advantage of the unique opportunities that the Leadership Class presents. A big part of that is getting out of my specific area and comfort zone and seeing how the industry works in other areas of the country. I can't wait."
Class members are rice producers Nicole Creason, Jonesboro, AR; Hudgens Jeter, Stuttgart, AR; Paul Johnson, Welsh, LA; Nat McKnight, Cleveland, MS; Greg Van Dyke, Pleasant Grove, CA. Rice Industry representatives are Dr. Dustin Harrell, Rayne, LA with LSU AgCenter and Collin Holzhauer, Harrisburg, AR with Southern Rice and Cotton.
The Rice Leadership Development Program is sponsored by John Deere Company, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company through The Rice Foundation and is managed by the USA Rice Federation.
Contact: Chuck Wilson (870) 673-7541