LITTLE ROCK, AR – Last week, Carl W. Brothers was inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in recognition of his 53-year career at Riceland Foods, and his steadfast commitment to Arkansas agriculture.
“Carl’s impact on the rice industry is so large, it is difficult to quantify, but I think it’s safe to say the USA Rice Federation would not exist as it does today, were it not for Carl’s passion, foresight, and vision,” said Betsy Ward, who was USA Rice president and CEO from 2007 to 2023.
Hired at Riceland in 1965 as a Sortex Operator, Brothers worked his way up to become the company’s senior vice president and chief operating officer before retiring in 2018. Throughout his career, he guided Riceland’s expansion in export markets, rice flour, rice bran oil, and many other areas with dedication and strong leadership.
Always taking an active role in the Rice Millers’ Association, Brothers served as that organization’s chair in 1988 and again in 1997. In 1994, he was instrumental in bringing together all the U.S. rice organizations under the mantel of the USA Rice Federation, and served as the umbrella organization’s second chair from 1996 to 1998.
Brothers had an impressive ability to juggle his full-time job at Riceland with his volunteer leadership across the broader agricultural industry, unselfishly lending his expertise, experience, and insight.
As a long-serving member of the Agriculture Policy Advisory Committee and the Agriculture Technical Advisory Committee, Brothers advised several U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture on trade policy, provided technical advice on specific commodities and products, and conferred on the negotiations of free trade agreements to open markets around the globe. These agreements led to millions of dollars in export business for the United States and millions of dollars for rice research.
The U.S. rice industry recognized Brothers’ leadership in 2009 with the industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ten years later, the USA Rice Millers’ Association honored him with their RMA Distinguished Service Award in 2019, just one of 15 recipients in the organization’s 126 year history.
“The thing that stands out most to me about Carl’s long career is the way he carried himself, especially when representing the U.S. rice industry. He is the embodiment of professionalism, civility, and class,” Ward said. “For all his personal and professional accomplishments, Carl has earned his place in the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.”
Since retiring from Riceland, Brothers has kept active working with the Trinity Conference of the Global Methodist Church, and fundraising for Scouting America and his community Easter Seals School. He also recently became a member of the Board for the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie which largely focuses on early farm life on the prairie.
Brothers is still involved with the rice industry, improving a 600-acre rice and soybean farm he purchased just before leaving Riceland.
“I love spending time with my family and occasional travels around the world,” said Carl. “I still value and miss my friends from the rice industry.”