A Picture and a Post – Worth a Thousand Words

ARLINGTON, VA -- Fields of gold extending into the horizon, combines rolling across vast acres of farm land, and diverse wildlife drifting in and out of view among swaying stalks of rice -- these characteristic signs of harvest are familiar to rice farmers, but are foreign to most Americans who are far removed from the agricultural industry.  Most people don’t even realize rice is grown here.  During the recent harvest, pictures and videos from farmers in all six rice-producing states flooded social media sites, and with consumers’ increasing interest in understanding where and how their food is grown, USA Rice saw an educational opportunity to use these images to provide an exclusive glimpse into the world of rice farming in the United States during National Rice Month.

USA Rice compiled images of harvest submitted by members and shared them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help consumers visualize the journey of rice from farm to table.  This effort was aided by a new initiative that put the spotlight on a different rice farmer each week.  The “Meet Your Rice Farmer” posts shared fun facts about the farmer, including a favorite family rice recipe.

“Social media provides the public with a unique opportunity to gain an inside perspective on what life is like on a rice farm just by scrolling through pictures using their smart phone,” said Michael Klein, USA Rice vice president of communications and marketing.  “A fleeting glance at an image of a family on their farm has the ability to resonate with consumers, who will hopefully make the connection that the people who grow their food are also their friends, family, and neighbors.”

During National Rice Month, USA Rice additionally shared graphics highlighting the nutritional benefits of rice and the economic contribution rice farmers make to the agricultural industry.  All graphics were accompanied by text reinforcing the many positive attributes of the rice industry and encouraged consumers to continue supporting U.S. rice farmers.

If you have any pictures from this year’s rice season that you would like to share on USA Rice’s social media platforms, please email cklem@usarice.com.