WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday evening, Louisiana rice farmer Fred Zaunbrecher, who serves as chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors, joined Arkansas rice farmers Tim and Robin Ralston and other agricultural leaders from across the country for dinner at the White House Rose Garden Club hosted by President Trump.
The dinner was part of the Administration's ongoing engagement with the agricultural community and highlighted the importance of domestic food production. The Administration wanted to celebrate the vital role farmers play in ensuring the nation's food security, supporting rural communities, and strengthening the U.S. economy.
This visit to the Rose Garden was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zaunbrecher and further highlights USA Rice’s role in Washington’s ag policy landscape and marks the third time in less than seven months that U.S. rice farmers have been invited to the actual White House with an opportunity to interact directly with President Trump.
“It is truly an honor to have met with President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and other members of the Administration to thank them for their leadership and support for the U.S. rice industry,” said Zaunbrecher. “U.S. rice farmers have faced a variety of economic headwinds in recent years, but under President Trump’s leadership, steps have been taken that can help improve the outlook in the rice industry through improved markets at home and abroad, helping deliver a more robust farm safety net under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and providing timely support through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and urging Congress to provide additional assistance.”
However, the visits have come at a tumultuous time for U.S. rice farmers who have been hanging it up at an alarming rate because of unsustainably high input costs, low market prices, and global trade distortion, resulting in the lowest rice acreage planted since the 1970s. The well-timed dinner was held on the heels of the Administration’s supplemental request sent to Capitol Hill for defense and agriculture funding.
“This week, President Trump followed through on his promise to further support American farmers through a formal supplemental request to Congress that includes $11 billion for 2026 agricultural losses,” said USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann. “USA Rice commends President Trump’s recognition of the American farmer’s needs and calls on Congress to pass legislation that provides the full $11 billion or more as soon as possible. U.S. rice farmers are facing a variety of economic headwinds, primarily driven by global competitors that illegally over-subsidize, putting our farmers at a disadvantage. This additional assistance would go a long way at recovering more of the compounded losses our industry has faced over the last four years.”
USA Rice appreciates the Administration’s continued engagement with the rice industry and their appreciation for the contributions of the American farmer. As an organization, USA Rice remains committed to working with Congress and the Administration to advance policies that strengthen the competitiveness of U.S.-grown rice at home and abroad while supporting the families who produce one of the world's most essential food crops.