One Big Beautiful Podcast Episode

 
Number 117 superimposed over photo of combine and grain cart in mature rice field
USA Rice's Jake Westlin talks about long overdue updates to the farm safety net as well as crop insurance programs, international trade promotion, base acreage, and more
Jul 22, 2025
ARLINGTON, VA – With much of the dust settling on the passage and signing of H.R. 1, aka the Big Beautiful Bill, aka budget reconciliation, USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Westlin stopped by The Rice Stuff podcast to review what is in the bill for agriculture.

Westlin talked with host Michael Klein about long overdue updates to the farm safety net as well as changes to crop insurance programs, international trade promotion, base acreage, and more.

“Agriculture was waiting for a long time for a new Farm Bill, and USA Rice staff and members have been working tirelessly for years on it,” Westlin said.  “This budget reconciliation was the best opportunity for Congress to address ag concerns, and we are grateful to the Congressional leadership for sticking to their guns and seeing this through.”

Catching strays in the episode were India that continues to manipulate global markets and former USA Rice VP of Government Affairs Jamison Cruce who was not present to defend himself.

New episodes of The Rice Stuff drop on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month and are available wherever you get your podcasts or at www.thericestuffpodcast.com.