2017/19 Rice Leadership Program Tours the Gulf Coast

 
Apr 07, 2017
2017/19 Rice Leadership Development Class
2017/19 Rice-Leadership Class
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Last week, the 2017/19 Rice Leadership Development Class attended the first session of the two-year program traditionally held in the Gulf Coast area of Texas and Louisiana, making stops that include examination of rice production practices, milling, and marketing as well as other aspects of the U.S. rice industry.

“Our class was announced at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Memphis back in December and we are excited to finally get started,” said Scott Franklin, a rice farmer from Rayville, Louisiana.  

Texas highlights included sessions at Riviana Foods, RiceTec, Inc., the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Rice Belt Warehouse, Doguet Rice Mill, and several rice farms.  

Californian Brian Greathouse was most impressed with Texas reservoir construction to capture excess water flowing through the Colorado River and said, “Being from California means you’re naturally sensitive to water issues.  That reservoir being constructed by the LCRA near Lake City, Texas, is one big rascal and will not only benefit agriculture but industry as well.”

During the three-day visit to Louisiana, the class met with Farmers Rice Milling Company and toured the bioenergy plant that supplies the company's electricity.  At the South Louisiana Rail facility in Lacassine, Mark Pousson, an alumnus of the program, hosted a tour of their state-of-the-art rail facility.  Following a tour of the bagging facility at Crowley's JohnPac, Inc., the group met with Dr. Steve Linscombe, also an alumnus, at the Louisiana State University Rice Research Station, to review the latest rice research information.

Rice farmer Kim Gallagher from Davis, California, noted the different production practices used in the South compared to California.  “Talking to rice farmers about how crawfish production in Louisiana is so important to the rice industry here made me realize how integrated farmers are, no matter their location, with the surrounding ecosystem,” said Gallagher.

The final stop on the tour was in New Orleans to learn about river and barge logistics from Russell Marine Group and about DNA and GMO testing in rice from Eurofins.

"One of the great things about this Leadership Program is seeing aspects of our industry that are important but we just don't think about, like JohnPac manufacturing rice bags or all that’s involved in shipping the product," said Missouri rice farmer David Martin.

Class members are rice producers Scott Franklin, Rayville, LA; Kim Gallagher, Davis, CA; Alan Lawson, Crowley, LA; David Martin, Bernie, MO; and Ross Thibodeaux, Midland, LA.  Rice Industry representatives are Brian Greathouse, Sutter, CA with Bunge Milling, Inc., and Dr. Jarrod Hardke, Carlisle, AR, with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

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 USA Rice.


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