WASHINGTON, DC – On the sidelines of the third week of the Federal government shutdown, USA Rice staff gathered here from near and far for an annual retreat focused on fellowship and planning ahead for the upcoming USA Rice Outlook Conference in New Orleans later this year.
USA Rice’s 22 U.S.-based staff started their day and a half retreat at the organization’s Arlington, Virginia-based office where they held organization-wide and department meetings before crossing the Potomac to tour the historic President Lincoln’s Cottage. For more than a quarter of his presidency, Abraham Lincoln lived in this cottage at the Old Soldiers’ Home, less than four miles from the White House. While living there, he visited with allies and adversaries, veterans, wounded soldiers, spent time with self-emancipated men, women, and children, took time to reflect on preserving the Union, and developed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Following the interactive history tour and presentation, staff met with USA Rice member and USA Rice Outlook Platinum Plus Sponsor Anheuser-Busch at their DC office before visiting some landmarks on the National Mall, including the inspiring Lincoln Memorial.
Staff rounded out the trip the next day with more internal meetings, a team-building lunch at a local restaurant/bowling alley, and then dispersed for legislative fundraisers, the annual Catfish Farmers of America event on Capitol Hill, or home.
“It is rare that we’re able to bring all of our staff together, with the exception of our overseas staff, but it certainly helps team cohesion and camaraderie as we work to meet the everchanging needs of our membership and support our shared mission of continued viability for the U.S. rice industry,” said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann. “Many thanks to our members, Producers Rice Mill, for sponsoring our group lunch one of the days, and Anheuser-Busch for hosting us during the retreat.”