HARRISBURG, AR – More than 350 rice growers and industry representatives packed the Northeast Arkansas Research & Extension Center (NERREC) for the joint annual meeting of the Arkansas Rice Council and Arkansas Rice Farmers here yesterday.
Arkansas Rice Executive Director Kelly Robbins welcomed everyone to the center, the crown jewel of agriculture research and extension in the state, and thanked them for coming out in record numbers to mark 75 years of the organization. He then introduced USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann who provided a quick overview of the national rice organization, recognizing the many Arkansans who serve as volunteer leaders, including current USA Rice Chair Keith Glover, and former chairs Dow Brantley and Brian King, all of whom were in the audience.
Bachmann told attendees that USA Rice is well aware of the precarious situation the farm economy is in and assured them that the staff is working every day to help. He praised the leadership of Arkansas’ senior senator, John Boozman, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and the support the industry has received from Governor Sarah Sanders.
He reminded the crowd of USA Rice’s three central areas of focus: strengthening the farm safety net, securing trade opportunities and balance through tariffs, and supporting efforts to improve grain quality; and he also highlighted the December meeting at the White House with President Trump that included Louisiana rice miller and farmer Meryl Kennedy Farr (see
USA Rice Daily, December 8, 2025).
“The President perked up when she started talking about the need for tariffs on all rice imports,” Bachmann said. “And she didn’t shy away from teaching him the difference between Calrose markets and southern long grain markets!”
Bachmann then introduced USA Rice Vice President of Government Affairs Jake Westlin to moderate a Federal Overview panel with Fitz Elder, staff director for the Senate Agriculture Committee; Charlie Louree, legislative assistant for Congressman Bruce Westerman; James Hodges, senior legislative assistant for Congressman Rick Crawford; and Madeleine Dierksheide, legislative assistant for Congressman French Hill.
The panelists made clear that their bosses in Washington understood the depth of the challenges the ag industry is facing and that they are working to find solutions.
“One of the most effective things you can do is continue to call your representatives and your senators to share your stories,” Elder said. “You are arming your representatives with data they can take to their colleagues and to the White House.”
Then, in keeping with the theme of honoring 75 years of Arkansas Rice, the University of Arkansas’ Dr. Jarrod Hardke sat down for a conversation with Newport rice farmer Marvin Hare, who has harvested more than 50 rice crops. They talked about the modern history of the Arkansas rice industry from the days of World War II to today.
Hare shared his experience that farming is cyclical with tough times leading to good times and then back to tough times again, like the ones everyone is experiencing today. “You have to be an optimist to be a farmer,” he said.
Hare then introduced the next speaker to talk about that optimism. Fourth generation rice farmer Jennifer James, (who happens to be Hare’s daughter), gave an inspirational talk, “The Heart of a Farmer.”
“The heart of a farmer is not flashy. It is not loud. But it is incredibly strong,” she said. “It is the story of America – sacrifice, grit, faith, and hard work.”
Following a short break, Arkansas Rice Chair Dow Brantley reconvened the group and introduced Governor Sanders who spoke passionately about the role agriculture plays in her state, in the country as a whole, and around the world. She commended Arkansas Rice and USA Rice and told the group how proud she is of the Arkansas rice industry, citing the huge donation of food to those in need, even as the industry itself faces unprecedented challenges (see
USA Rice Daily, September 10, 2025).
The final panel of the meeting was on innovation, not agronomic, but rather in promotion. It started with the premier of the new, dramatic video, “Brand Anthem,” that was filmed at the NERREC and in other locations last summer.
USA Rice Vice President of Communications & Strategic Development Michael Klein moderated the panel featuring USA Rice Vice President of Domestic Promotion Cameron Jacobs, USA Rice Chief Operating Officer Sarah Moran, and Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Farm-to-School Coordinator Leslee Tell.
The group discussed their efforts to increase consumption of U.S.-grown rice around the world, across the country, and right here at home in local school districts, providing examples of social media campaigns, paid advertising, trade missions, and in-school education.
Just before lunch, the program took a surprise turn when NERREC Director Dr. Tim Burcham was lured to the podium to give a station update but was in fact presented with a plaque and moving tribute from Arkansas Rice Council Chair David Gairhan and Arkansas Rice Research and Promotion Board Chair Jim Whitaker.
“Nobody could have seen this center built as quickly and successfully as you, and the entire rice industry thanks you for your dedication and contributions to our long-term sustainability,” Whitaker said.
An emotional Burcham thanked the crowd and introduced the 88th International Rice Festival (IRF) Queen Ansley Dawson, only the second IRF Queen from Arkansas, who actually grew up just a few miles from the center. Dawson spoke about her love of the industry and her year promoting it around the country before, as is standard practice, inviting everyone in attendance to the 89th IRF in the third full weekend in October in Crowley, Louisiana.
Burcham also introduced the current Arkansas Rice Festival Queen Maggie Brinsfield, from Walnut Ridge, who announced her intention to follow in Dawson’s footsteps and represent Arkansas at the 89th IRF later this year.
There followed an excellent lunch with presentations from Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Chris Colclasure on the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Ag and the state water plan; Dr. John Nowlin from Arkansas State University on his study of post-harvest reside management; and Dr. Chris Henry who presented the results of the Most Crop Per Drop competitions.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of the Arkansas Rice Council’s 2026 election results for the 10 district representatives.