Deborah Willenborg
Charlottesville
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Articles by Deborah Willenborg
USA Rice Unveils New Grown in the USA Mark
By Deborah Willenborg • The U.S. rice industry’s “Grown in the USA” mark has been around for decades. It signified to consumers that the rice contents of the package bearing the mark was 100% U.S.-grown. While it has been the dominant Country of Origin mark for U.S. rice, it is not the only one. Some rice packages bear different red, white, and blue-themed designs or words “Product of Texas,” “California Grown,” “Certified Louisiana,” or similar.
2023 USA Rice Sustainability Award Nominations Open
ARLINGTON, VA — While insiders know U.S.-grown rice is one of the most sustainable and responsibly grown crops in the world, telling that story to those who are unaware is increasingly important. To help recognize the crop’s unique environmental qualities and the men and women who improve rice’s sustainability every day, USA Rice annually presents the Sustainability Award to identify and promote efforts in this area.
USDA World Agriculture Outlook Board Tours Mid-South Rice Industry
STUTTGART, AR – A delegation of rice experts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently toured the mid-south rice industry for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. As members of the World Agriculture Outlook Board, these USDA employees are instrumental in compiling data and reports including the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, agricultural baseline projections, and weather impact studies on ag production.
California Rice Field Day Heralds Industry’s Remarkable Recovery
BIGGS, CA – For 111 years, the Rice Experiment Station has been delivering outstanding results for California’s rice industry, and hundreds gathered this week for the annual Field Day here for reports on what lies ahead. Kim Gallagher, a graduate of the Rice Leadership Development Program and vice-chair of the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation (CCRRF), welcomed attendees, highlighting the strong comeback the rice industry is enjoying this year.
Rice Leadership Development Program Application Deadline Approaches
ARLINGTON, VA — The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Rice Leadership Development Program Application Deadline Approaches — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
By Deborah Willenborg USA Ride ARLINGTON, VA -- The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
National Rice Month Video Contest Now Open — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
By Deborah Willenborg USA Rice ARLINGTON, VA – The annual National Rice Month (NRM) Scholarship video contest is here and it’s everything! Creative students are challenged to shine a light on our favorite home-grown grain, and in a short video – three minutes or less – educate, entertain, and tell us why rice is special to you, to your state, or to the world.
Farm, Forestry, Environmental, and Hunger Advocates Unite Behind 2023 Farm Bill
The Farm Bill matters for all Americans (USA Rice) WASHINGTON, DC – Twenty groups representing agricultural, environmental, forestry, wildlife, nutrition, and hunger advocates, including USA Rice, have launched the “Farm Bill for America’s Families: Sustaining Our Future” campaign to urge passage of the 2023 Farm Bill this year. Farm Bill for America’s Families brings together stakeholders who support the farm bill and recognize its profound impact on the well-being of all Americans.
Rice Leadership Development Program Now Accepting Applications
ARLINGTON, VA – The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Rice Leadership Development Program Now Accepting Applications — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
By Deborah Willenborg USA Rice ARLINGTON, VA – The Rice Leadership Development Program gives future leaders a comprehensive understanding of the rice industry, with an emphasis on personal development and communication skills. The class attends four one-week sessions over a two-year period that encompasses studies of all aspects of the rice industry through firsthand observations. They also attend seminars and workshops designed to strengthen leadership skills.
Louisiana Rice Industry Meets For Field Days & Board Meetings — Louisiana Farm Bureau News
By Deborah Willenborg USA Rice CROWLEY & KAPLAN, LA – Despite triple digit temperatures at points, well-hydrated rice farmers, researchers, wildlife specialists, and USA Rice staff gathered here this week to hear firsthand from scientists about the important work being done in rice.
Trend Watch: Americans Choose Rice-Dominant Cuisines as Favorite Foods
ARLINGTON, VA – A newly published report analyzed America’s favorite cuisines and found that Latin American and Tex-Mex, followed by Asian food – all that feature rice as a primary ingredient – have knocked longtime favorite, Italian food, out of the top spot. The report, Menu MVPS: Top Dishes at Major Chains, from Datassential, a food and beverage research firm, indicates increased opportunities for rice across the foodservice landscape.
“Super Seniors” Graduate from Rice Leadership Development Program
WASHINGTON, DC – The 2021-23 Rice Leadership Development Class recently completed the two-year program with their final session held in conjunction with the USA Rice Legislative Fly-In in Washington, DC, February 26 – March 1. “This group had a very different trajectory due to the outbreak of COVID-19,” said Dr. Steve Linscombe, director of the program.
Mississippi Rice Council Gathers for Updates and Outlook
CLEVELAND, MS – More than 50 Mississippi rice farmers and allies gathered here at the Bolivar County Ag Extension Office auditorium for a meeting of the Mississippi Rice Council last Friday. Mississippi Rice Council President and Chair of USA Rice Kirk Satterfield kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome and overview of the packed agenda, turning the meeting over to Mississippi Rice Promotion Board Chair Carter Murrell for his report on the good financial health of the board.
Arkansas Rice Annual Meeting Dives Into Important Issues
STUTTGART, AR – More than 225 rice growers and industry representatives gathered here yesterday for a joint meeting of the Arkansas Rice Federation and Arkansas Rice Council as planning for the 2023 season and Farm Bill year gets underway.
The Rice Stuff Goes Inside Consumers’ Minds
ARLINGTON, VA – One of the most popular sounds on TikTok right now is the voice of Amy Poehler saying, “Do you ever look at someone and wonder, ‘what is going on inside their head?’” It’s usually accompanied by video of people or pets doing things that defy logic and common sense. Well, the USA Rice Domestic Promotion team has this very thought about consumers and commissioned some cutting-edge research to look for answers. Episode 61 of The Rice Stuff podcast shares those results.
Rice Industry Awards Recognize Superlative Stewardship Practices
AUSTIN, TX – The U.S. rice industry bolsters our longstanding commitment to conservation and sustainability each year by recognizing industry leaders to showcase their stewardship efforts in preserving wildlife habitat and efficient use of natural resources.
FBI warns of ransomware attacks on agricultural cooperatives
By Deborah Willenborg • According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), farmers and ag cooperatives need to be on high alert this spring as cyber criminals might attack the industry during planting and harvesting seasons, “disrupting operations, causing financial loss, and negatively impacting the food supply chain.” Hackers may perceive cooperatives as lucrative targets with a willingness to pay due to the time-sensitive role they play in agricultural production.
Rice industry leaders honored for superlative stewardship practices
• By Deborah Willenborg • The U.S. rice industry bolsters its longstanding commitment to conservation and sustainability each year by recognizing industry leaders who showcase their stewardship efforts in preserving wildlife habitat and efficient use of natural resources. Two awards were presented recently during the USA Rice Outlook Conference Awards Luncheon.
USA Rice opens annual rice scholarship video contest
• By Deborah Willenborg • A video made by Molly Ellis of McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney, Texas, took top honors in the USA Rice rice scholarship video contest. If you’re thinking about how to pay for college next year — Think Rice — because the National Rice Month Scholarship video contest is here. And it’s easy to participate. The contest is open to graduating high school students from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas.
USA Rice Governing Board Elects 2 New Leaders
With their two-year terms ending later this month, the chairs of two USA Rice governing boards handed their gavels to two rising industry leaders. Kirk Satterfield, a Mississippi rice farmer from Bolivar County, was unanimously elected to serve as the new chair of the USA Rice Farmers Board of Directors and Eric Unkel, a Louisiana rice farmer from Allen Parish, was unanimously elected to serve as the new chair of the USA Rice Council Board of Directors.
Field day season kicks off in South Louisiana
• By Deborah Willenborg • Dr. Adam Famoso discusses new varieties in the pipeline during the Southwest Louisiana Rice Field Day near Iowa — photos courtesy USA Rice At the opening of the Allen Parish Rice Growers Association annual meeting May 26 in Kinder, Louisiana, President Eric Savant, a local rice grower, welcomed everyone back in-person for the first time in more than a year.
Texas Rice: Dr. Mo Way Retires After Stellar Career
Dr. Mo Way. Photo: Texas AgriLife Extension Congratulations to Dr. Michael “Mo” Way on his retirement last month from the Texas A&M AgriLife Beaumont Research and Extension Center after a stellar career spanning 39 years. While his official title was “research entomologist,” Way wore many more hats serving the Texas, U.S., and international rice industries. He received his Ph.D. under Dr. Al Grigarick at the University of California, Davis, prior to joining the faculty at the Beaumont Center.
COVID-19 prompts cancellation of 2020 Rice Outlook Conference
• By Deborah Willenborg • Louisiana rice producer David Lacour (left) shows Katie Maher of USA Rice a photo on his phone as fellow producer Dane Hebert looks on during the 2019 USA Rice Outlook Conference opening reception — photo by Vicky Boyd The 2020 USA Rice Outlook Conference, scheduled for Dec. 9-11, in Austin, Texas, will not be held in-person due to the impossibility of putting on a large trade show and conference in compliance with public health safety guidelines and regulations.
Changing of the guard as USA Rice elects news leadership
• By Deborah Willenborg • Bobby Hanks, CEO of Supreme Rice, was elected chairman of USA Rice’s board of directors recently — photo courtesy USA Rice USA Rice, The Rice Foundation, the USA Rice Millers’ Association and the USA Rice Merchants’ Association elected new chairs for their respective board of directors during recent annual meetings held via video conference calls. All newly elected officers will assume their two-year posts Aug. 1.
USA Rice Elects New Leadership
New chairs for USA Rice, The Rice Foundation, the USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA), and the USA Rice Merchants’ Association were elected by their respective Boards of Directors during annual meetings this week held via video conference calls. All newly elected officers will assume their two-year posts on August 1.
Rice in Beer? Growing Popularity Among U.S. Craft Breweries
Rice field pre-flood. ©Debra L Ferguson American Craft Beer Week started in 2006 as a way to bring beer lovers and retailers together in celebration and support of craft breweries and all that they contribute to their communities. And while U.S.-grown rice has been an ingredient in commercial beer production for a long time, craft breweries are using rice to deliver new and unique flavor profiles.
California Rice: Crop Goes From Slow Start to Swift Finish
Rice harvest. Photo: Jim Morris, California Rice Commission “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” That familiar creed is usually associated with the U.S. Postal Service but could just as easily apply to California rice farmers this year as they faced a myriad of challenges, most from weather, at each stage of the 2019 crop.
Texas Rice: Crop Is Late and Getting Later
Rice maturing near Beaumont. Photo: Kathleen Phillips, Texas AgriLife Extension When you talk with Texas rice farmers they almost all say the same thing about the 2019 crop – it got started late and never caught up. Linda & L.G Raun, who grow long grain rice in El Campo, report that the problems began back in 2018 when it started raining in August.
Rice Leadership Development Program Graduates Celebrated at USA Rice Conference
Rice harvest. ©Debra L Ferguson Stock Photography The Rice Leadership Development Program’s Class of 2017/19 graduated from the prestigious program during a special ceremony at the USA Rice 2019 Government Affairs Conference this week. Rice Foundation Chairman Frank Carey and USA Rice Chairman Charley Mathews, Jr. presided over the ceremony, congratulating the graduates and thanking program sponsors, John Deere, RiceTec, Inc., and American Commodity Company.
Arkansas State Meeting All in the Family
By Deborah Willenborg / USA Rice Saturday Jan 12, 2019 at 12:01 AM Rice farmers from around Arkansas and the Mid-South met at the Grand Prairie Center here yesterday for the Arkansas Rice annual meeting. More than 400 people attended, including vendors and business interests that support rice farming, as well as state officials and legislators on hand to discuss a variety of topics, from the proposed restructuring of the state government to the recently passed Farm Bill and more.
U.S. Rice Stories: Tell Yours - Win a College Scholarship, Deadline Oct. 31
Three minutes of innovative storytelling about U.S.-grown rice is all it takes to earn money for college! If you’re a high school graduating student from Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, or Texas, submit a three-minute video that creates awareness and promotes U.S.-grown rice, September National Rice Month, and the importance of rice to your state, for a chance to win this year’s National Rice Month Scholarship.
National Rice Month Scholarship contest deadline Oct. 31
The annual National Rice Month Scholarship contest received a major update last year, and while the focus is the same — creating awareness for U.S.-grown rice — the methods moved into the 21st Century. “The contest went to an all video format last year and competition was fierce,” said Betsy Ward, USA Rice president and CEO.
Restaurants in Memphis to serve US rice
The 12 restaurants participating in this year's promotion will display "We Proudly Serve U.S.-Grown Rice" window clings provided by USA Rice. Many restaurants expressed a desire to keep the emblem up year-round to support U.S. rice farmers. Deborah Willenborg / USA Rice Federation Each year, USA Rice teams up with restaurants in the host city of the USA Rice Outlook Conference to promote local establishments that serve U.S.-grown rice.
Scholarship worth $4K, $3K, $1.5K available
"The reality is we live in the age where almost everyone has a camera in their pocket, and in some cases, those cameras are more powerful and advanced than the cameras used to create some of our favorite Hollywood classics," said Michael Klein, vice president of marketing, communications and domestic promotion for USA Rice. "Image-centric social media platforms are driving communication today, and we use photos and videos throughout National Rice Month.
New P.F. Chang's menu spotlights U.S.-grown rice
"The menu spotlight on U.S.-grown rice is the lead-in to a new promotion by P.F. Chang's scheduled to launch next month and is a huge boost for U.S. rice," explains Katie Maher, USA Rice director of domestic promotion.
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